Version 2024

2024 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:

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)

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 2024 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

Patient Education


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.