Although zinc chloride, the main constituent, is not felt to be a carcinogenic hazard, certain of the other by-products are known carcinogens in laboratory animals or in humans. The casualty should don his or her respirator or be removed from the source of exposure. Oxygen should be administered in cases of hypoxia. Bronchospasm should be treated appropriately as should secondary bacterial infection. Early steroid therapy has been considered efficacious by some and, when used, steroids should be given in high doses similar to those used in the treatment of phosgene exposure and exposure to other lung damaging agents.
Adequate analgesia is recommended.
The prognosis is related entirely to the extent of the pulmonary damage. All exposed individuals should be kept under observation for 8 hours. Most individuals recover in a few days. At moderate exposures, some symptoms may persist for 1 to 2 weeks. In severe exposures, survivors may have reduced pulmonary function for some months after exposure.