Pneumothorax associated with accidental 4‐nitrophenyl chlonoformate inhalation in an academic chemistry lab

An otherwise healthy 16‐year‐old male presented to the pediatric emergency department 12 hours after accidental inhalation of 4‐nitrophenyl chloroformate in a chemistry lab. His only pertinent findings were a complaint of chest tightness and decreased breath sounds on a pulmonary exam. He was found on chest radiograph to have a large right‐sided pneumothorax with slight mediastinal shift and mild interstitial prominence. A chest tube was placed, and he recovered well. This case demonstrates pneumothorax as a possible complication of inhalation of caustic chemical substances and emphasizes the importance of thorough history‐taking and clinical examination.