Blowing Balloons and Pulmonary Talcosis: An Uncommon Hazard

Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2019 May-Aug;23(2):90-92. doi: 10.4103/ijoem.IJOEM_222_18. Epub 2019 Sep 25.

Abstract

A 65-year-old nonsmoker man presented with bilateral upper lobe conglomerated calcific opacities with basal reticulations. The patient denied any significant occupational exposure. Repeated and persistent enquiry revealed an intense exposure to talc 20 years back, from blowing balloons stained with talc powder for a period of 1 year. To the best of our knowledge, only one case has been reported in the past with talcosis due to balloon blowing.

Keywords: Balloons; interstitial lung disease; talcosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports