1. Acute lung injury characterized by coughing and rales; inflammation of the lungs which become stiff and fibrous and cannot exchange oxygen; occurs among persons exposed to irritants such as corrosive chemical vapours, ammonia or chlorine etc.
   "The factory worker developed adult respiratory distress syndrome after exposure to toxic fumes";
   - ARDS, wet lung, white lung, acute respiratory distress syndrome

Derived forms: adult respiratory distress syndromes

Type of: respiratory disease, respiratory disorder, respiratory illness

Encyclopedia: Adult respiratory distress syndrome