Sequential respiratory changes in those exposed to the gas leak at Bhopal
Kamat, S.R.; Patel, M.H.; Kolhatkar, V.P.; Dave, A.A.; Mahashur, A.A.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 86(Suppl): 20-38
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 3440584 Document Number: 297141
Of 113 subjects exposed to toxic gas at Bhopal who were initially studied, 78 and 52 were reassessed after 3 and 6 months respectively. Clinical scores, radiography, spirometry and blood gas estimation at rest and exercise, oxygen uptake, flow volume loops and body plethysmography were done. In a few patients, bronchoaleolar lavage, immunologic tests, histamine response, hypoxic drive and lung biopsies were carried out. The results indicated a predominant restrictive lung disorder which showed some degree of protective effect of levamisol. Clinically several subjects improved to a certain degree except for major symptoms like exertional dyspnoea, weakness, poor memory, cough and chest pain. Flow volume studies revealed persistent airway abnormalities. Only 15.5 to 20.5 per cent of the victims showed higher reversibility of airflow obstruction. Lung histology in three patients showed peribronchiolar and perivascular fibrosis, interstitial infiltrates, bronchiolitis and septal and pleural thickening. The findings thus suggested longterm lung damage due to the toxic gas.