Exposure to other forces of nature (X39)
The ICD-10 code X39 covers medical situations involving exposure to various natural forces or environmental conditions. It includes specific codes for exposure to natural radiation like radon and solar radiation, as well as other natural phenomena such as wind, hail, drought, or meteorite impacts.
This section is used to document injuries or health effects linked to natural environmental hazards. For example, X39.01 codes exposure to radon gas, a natural radioactive element, while X39.08 applies to other natural radiation exposures like solar radiation storms. The code X39.8 addresses a wide range of other forces of nature such as downbursts, acid rain, or extreme weather conditions including droughts and high winds. Different seventh character extensions specify whether it’s the initial encounter, a subsequent visit, or a sequela (late effects). Knowing these codes helps correctly capture events where the patient’s condition results from exposure to specific natural forces, supporting precise health records and statistical tracking of environmental injury causes.
External causes of morbidity and mortality (V01–Y99)
Exposure to forces of nature (X30-X39)
X39 Exposure to other forces of nature
X39.0 Exposure to natural radiation
X39.01 Exposure to radon
- X39.01XA Exposure to radon, initial encounter
- X39.01XD Exposure to radon, subsequent encounter
- X39.01XS Exposure to radon, sequela
X39.08 Exposure to other natural radiation
- X39.08XA Exposure to other natural radiation, initial encounter
- X39.08XD Exposure to other natural radiation, subsequent encounter
- X39.08XS Exposure to other natural radiation, sequela
X39.8 Other exposure to forces of nature
- X39.8XXA Other exposure to forces of nature, initial encounter
- X39.8XXD Other exposure to forces of nature, subsequent encounter
- X39.8XXS Other exposure to forces of nature, sequela
Exposure to other forces of nature (X39)
Instructional Notations
7th Character Note
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category X39
7th Character
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
Acid Rain
Acidic water usually pH 2.5 to 4.5, which poisons the ecosystem and adversely affects plants, fishes, and mammals. It is caused by industrial pollutants, mainly sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, emitted into the atmosphere and returning to earth in the form of acidic rain water.
