special subjects
Metal Fume Fever and Polymer Fume Fever
Diagnosis
A doctor's evaluation Chest x-ray To diagnose metal fume fever, doctors ask questions about possible exposure and do a physical examination, including listening to the lungs with a stethoscope. Metal fume fever is diagnosed when workers or others have been exposed to zinc fumes have the characteristic symptoms. Chest x-rays are taken. They are typically normal in people with metal fume fever but are used to check for other possible causes of symptoms, such as pneumonia. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest is sometimes done. Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) may be done later. Doctors diagnose polymer fume fever based on possible exposure to heated PTFE or to overheated Teflon® cookware, followed by characteristic symptoms. The concentration of ambient zinc and other metal fumes or polymer products is measured at different locations in the workplace to determine the extent of exposure. 