Health effects of silicon tetrachloride. Report of an urban accident.

A spill of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) at a chemical plant caused the evacuation of several thousand people from an industrial park; 28 persons sought medical attention. Most of the affected individuals suffered only transient eye and upper airway irritation. Six of the plant employees were later referred for detailed evaluation of possible lung injury, but no definite evidence of SiCl4-induced pulmonary dysfunction was found. Five of these workers also experienced recurrent headaches, and two complained of pedal dysesthesias after the accident. Although the temporal relationship between the exposure and onset of these symptoms is notable, no definite etiologic relationship could be established.