Citation

Shariff Z, Tehrani H, Hardwicke J, Jagadeesan J. Burns 2006; 32(6): 795.

Affiliation

aLancashire Teaching Hospital, Preston Plastic Surgery, Sharoe Greem Lane, Fulwood, Preston PR2 9HT, UK (zakirshariff@hotmail.com)

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.burns.2006.04.017

PMID

16905263

Abstract

We report a case of burns in a 15-year-old boy, sustained in making a ‘smoke bomb’ from potassium nitrite and sugar. The ingredients and methodology were easily obtained by the patient from an internet website, with no checks being made of the patients’ age or intentions. The patient gave a history of spontaneous ignition of the bomb during its construction.

In an environment of hightened awareness of antisocial activity, we highlight the ease with which the public can still access potentially destructive materials. We advocate the more stringent regulation of such sales, in the interests of safety to both the purchaser and the general public. In addition the attending surgeon should be aware of the presentation of burns that may be caused by agents which, prior to the internet age, were generally unavailable to the public.

Language: en