2025 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J68

Respiratory conditions due to inhalation of chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors

ICD-10-CM Code:
J68
ICD-10 Code for:
Resp cond d/t inhalation of chemicals, gas, fumes and vapors
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

J68 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of respiratory conditions due to inhalation of chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2025 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Resp cond d/t inhalation of chemicals, gas, fumes and vapors

Non-specific codes like J68 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for resp cond d/t inhalation of chemicals, gas, fumes and vapors:

  • Use J68.0 for Bronchitis and pneumonitis due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J68.1 for Pulmonary edema due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J68.2 for Upper respiratory inflammation due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, not elsewhere classified - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J68.3 for Other acute and subacute respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J68.4 for Chronic respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J68.8 for Other respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use J68.9 for Unspecified respiratory condition due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors - BILLABLE CODE

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the respiratory system
    J00–J99
    • Lung diseases due to external agents
      J60-J70
      • Respiratory conditions due to inhalation of chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors
        J68

Patient Education


Inhalation Injuries

Inhalation injuries are acute injuries to your respiratory system and lungs. They can happen if you breathe in toxic substances, such as smoke (from fires), chemicals, particle pollution, and gases. Inhalation injuries can also be caused by extreme heat; these are a type of thermal injuries. Over half of deaths from fires are due to inhalation injuries.

Symptoms of inhalation injuries can depend on what you breathed in. But they often include:

  • Coughing and phlegm
  • A scratchy throat
  • Irritated sinuses
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Headaches
  • Stinging eyes
  • A runny nose

If you have a chronic heart or lung problem, an inhalation injury can make it worse.

To make a diagnosis, your health care provider may use a scope to look at your airways and check for damage. Other possible tests include imaging tests of the lungs, blood tests, and lung function tests.

If you have an inhalation injury, your health care provider will make sure that your airway is not blocked. Treatment is with oxygen therapy, and in some cases, medicines. Some patients need to use a ventilator to breathe. Most people get better, but some people have permanent lung or breathing problems. Smokers and people who had a severe injury are at a greater risk of having permanent problems.

You can take steps to try to prevent inhalation injuries:

  • At home, practice fire safety, which includes preventing fires and having a plan in case there is a fire
  • If there is smoke from a wildfire nearby or lots of particulate pollution in the air, try to limit your time outdoors. Keep your indoor air as clean as possible, by keeping windows closed and using an air filter. If you have asthma, another lung disease, or heart disease, follow your health care provider's advice about your medicines and respiratory management plan.
  • If you are working with chemicals or gases, handle them safely and use protective equipment

[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Interstitial Lung Diseases

Interstitial lung disease is the name for a large group of diseases that inflame or scar the lungs. The inflammation and scarring make it hard to get enough oxygen. The scarring is called pulmonary fibrosis.

Breathing in dust or other particles in the air is responsible for some types of interstitial lung diseases. Specific types include:

  • Black lung disease among coal miners, from inhaling coal dust
  • Farmer's lung, from inhaling farm dust
  • Asbestosis, from inhaling asbestos fibers
  • Siderosis, from inhaling iron from mines or welding fumes
  • Silicosis, from inhaling silica dust

Other causes include autoimmune diseases or occupational exposures to molds, gases, or fumes. Some types of interstitial lung disease have no known cause.

Treatment depends on the type of exposure and the stage of the disease. It may involve medicines, oxygen therapy, or a lung transplant in severe cases.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.