2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Z77.118Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other environmental pollution

ICD-10-CM Codes›Z00–Z99›Z77-Z99›suspected

ICD-10-CM Z77.118
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

Z77.118 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for contact with and (suspected) exposure to other environmental pollution. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026). The code is not accepted as a principal diagnosis by the Medicare Code Editor and exempt from POA reporting. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Other specified status.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
Z77.118
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other environmental pollution
Short Description
Contact w and (suspected) exposure to oth environ pollution
Parent Code
Z77.11
Contact with and (suspected) exposure to environmental pollution

Code Classification

ChapterZ00–Z99Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
SectionZ77-Z99Persons with potential health hazards related to family and personal history and certain conditions influencing health status
CategorysuspectedOther contact with and exposures hazardous to health (Z77)
This CodeZ77.118Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other environmental pollution

Code EditsBilling

Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for Z77.118.

Unacceptable principal diagnosis
There are selected codes that describe a circumstance which influences an individual's health status but not a current illness or injury, or codes that are not specific manifestations but may be due to an underlying cause. These codes are considered unacceptable as a principal diagnosis.

Present on Admission (POA)Billing

Z77.118 is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Dust pollution
  • Environment with high pollution level
  • Environmental pollution
  • Exposure to environmental pollution
  • Exposure to environmental pollution, non-occupational
  • Exposure to toxic waste
  • Non-occupational exposure to toxic waste
  • Occupational exposure to environmental pollution
  • Oil spill
  • Pollution

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Contact(with)
      • pollution
        • environmental NEC
    • Exposure(to)
      • pollution
        • environmental NEC

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR FAC025
Other specified status
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Environmental Pollution

    contamination of the air, bodies of water, or land with substances that are harmful to human health and the environment.

  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution

    contamination of the air by tobacco smoke.

Patient EducationClinical

Environmental Health

Our environment affects our health. If parts of the environment, like the air, water, or soil become polluted, it can lead to health problems. For example, asthma pollutants and chemicals in the air or in the home can trigger asthma attacks.

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert Z77.118 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
V15.89 Hx-health hazards NEC
Approximate The match is approximate rather than exact.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About Z77.118Overview

Is Z77.118 a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report contact with and (suspected) exposure to other environmental pollution on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Can Z77.118 be a principal diagnosis?

No. The Medicare Code Editor rejects this code as a principal diagnosis because contact with and (suspected) exposure to other environmental pollution describes a circumstance that influences health status rather than a current illness. Report it as a secondary diagnosis.

Is Z77.118 exempt from POA reporting?

Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for contact with and (suspected) exposure to other environmental pollution on inpatient claims.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of Z77.118?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, contact with and (suspected) exposure to other environmental pollution converts to ICD-9-CM V15.89 (hx-health hazards NEC). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.