ICD10BillableValid for clinical use
ICD-10 Code J68.4: Chronic respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors
Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026
What is this code?
ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99).
When is it used?
- May be used when a clinician documents chronic respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors in a patient's medical record.
- May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
- This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.
What it does not mean
- A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
- A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
Code hierarchy
chapter
10Diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99)
block
J60-J70Lung diseases due to external agents
category
J68Respiratory conditions due to inhalation of chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors
currentJ68
Official coding notes
Excludes1 (do not code together)
- chronic pulmonary edema due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors (J68.1)
Code also
- , if applicable, chronic conditions, such as:
- emphysema (J43.-)
- obliterative bronchiolitis (J44.81)
- pulmonary fibrosis (J84.10)
Where you may see this code
You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.
Related specialists
PulmonologistGeneral Physician
Related codes
J68.0Bronchitis and pneumonitis due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vaporscodeJ68.1Pulmonary edema due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vaporscodeJ68.2Upper respiratory inflammation due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, not elsewhere classifiedcodeJ68.3Other acute and subacute respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vaporscodeJ68.8Other respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vaporscodeJ68.9Unspecified respiratory condition due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vaporscode
Sibling codes
J68.0Bronchitis and pneumonitis due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vaporsbillableJ68.1Pulmonary edema due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vaporsbillableJ68.2Upper respiratory inflammation due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors, not elsewhere classifiedbillableJ68.3Other acute and subacute respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vaporsbillableJ68.8Other respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vaporsbillableJ68.9Unspecified respiratory condition due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vaporsbillable
Coverage-related procedures and services
CPT 31720high
CATHETER ASPIRATION (SEPARATE PROCEDURE); NASOTRACHEAL
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 94664high
DEMONSTRATION AND/OR EVALUATION OF PATIENT UTILIZATION OF AN AEROSOL GENERATOR, NEBULIZER, METERED DOSE INHALER OR IPPB DEVICE
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 94640high
PRESSURIZED OR NONPRESSURIZED INHALATION TREATMENT FOR ACUTE AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION FOR THERAPEUTIC PURPOSES AND/OR FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES SUCH AS SPUTUM INDUCTION WITH AN AEROSOL GENERATOR, NEBULIZER, METERED DOSE INHALER OR INTERMITTENT POSITIVE PRESSURE BREATHING (IPPB) DEVICE
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 94642high
AEROSOL INHALATION OF PENTAMIDINE FOR PNEUMOCYSTIS CARINII PNEUMONIA TREATMENT OR PROPHYLAXIS
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 94728high
AIRWAY RESISTANCE BY OSCILLOMETRY
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 94450high
BREATHING RESPONSE TO HYPOXIA (HYPOXIA RESPONSE CURVE)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
Mapped diagnoses and classifications
SNOMED_CT 266404004high
Chronic chemical respiratory disease
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 196026004high
Chronic emphysema caused by chemical fumes
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 836477007high
Chronic emphysema caused by vapor
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 840350008high
Chronic obliterative bronchiolitis caused by chemical fumes
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 840351007high
Chronic obliterative bronchiolitis caused by vapor
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 196028003high
Chronic pulmonary fibrosis caused by chemical fumes
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
Coding guidelines
Compatibility
Legacy and official ICD code match exactly.
Legacy codes
J68.4
Common synonyms
Chronic respiratory conditions due to chemicals, gases, fumes and vapors
Frequently asked questions
About this content
This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.