Acute lung injury (ALI) is defined as pulmonary conditions leading to severe hypoxaemia, with human acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) representing its most severe manifestation [1]. The primary causes of ARDS are trauma, bacterial and viral pneumonia, sepsis and adverse drug reactions [2]. The development of effective therapeutics for ALI/ARDS remains an urgent unmet need [3]. The overall crude incidence of ALI from all sources has been estimated at 76.9 per 100 000 person-years (86.2 after age adjustment) [4]; or ~200 000 cases per year in the USA [1]. ALI is generally associated with endothelial and epithelial cell injury, loss of alveolar–capillary membrane integrity, neutrophil influx into the lung, and release of pro-inflammatory mediators [1]. Exposure to halogen gases, such as bromine (Br₂) and chlorine (Cl₂), as well as to halogenated organic compounds, can cause severe ALI. Although many experimental animal models of ALI have been developed [5], halogen gas-induced ALI has been less widely studied. Halogen gas-induced ALI/ARDS remains a public health concern as it can arise from industrial occupational and accidental exposures. Despite individual case reports, there is a lack of more precise epidemiological data on the incidence of halogen-gas specific ALI [6].

急性肺损伤 (ALI) 被定义为导致严重低氧血症的肺部疾病，人类急性呼吸窘迫综合征 (ARDS) 是其最严重的表现 [1]。ARDS的主要原因是创伤、细菌性和病毒性肺炎、败血症和药物不良反应[2]。为 ALI/ARDS 开发有效的治疗方法仍然是一个紧迫的未满足需求 [3]。所有来源的 ALI 总体粗发病率估计为每 10 万人年 76.9 人（年龄调整后为 86.2 人）[4]；或在美国每年约 200 000 例 [1]。ALI 通常与内皮和上皮细胞损伤、肺泡-毛细血管膜完整性的丧失、中性粒细胞流入肺和促炎介质的释放有关 [1]。接触卤素气体，例如溴（Br ₂) 和氯 (Cl ₂ ) 以及卤代有机化合物会导致严重的 ALI。尽管已经开发了许多 ALI 的实验动物模型 [5]，但卤素气体诱导的 ALI 的研究较少。卤素气体引起的 ALI/ARDS 仍然是一个公共卫生问题，因为它可能由工业职业和意外暴露引起。尽管有个别病例报告，但缺乏关于卤素气体特异性 ALI 发病率的更准确的流行病学数据 [6]。