Citation

Nogué S, Amigó M, Uría E, Fernández F, Velasco V. Emergencias 2012; 24(3): 203-207.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, SEMES - Sociedad Española de Medicina de Urgencias y Emergencias)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Exposure to chemicals harmful to the skin and/or eyes is a common reason for seeking emergency care. Our aim was to describe the characteristics of patients treated in the chemical decontamination unit of an area referral hospital. This 18- month descriptive observational study evaluated the epidemiologic, toxicologic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of cases treated by a chemical decontamination unit within an emergency department. Thirty-six patients with a mean (SD) age of 42.8 (16.7) years were identified; 24 (66.7%) were women. The chemical products involved were usually caustic substances (52.8%), solvents or degreasers (19.4%), glues (13.9%), or self-defense sprays (8.3%). Accidents in the home (41.7%) or workplace (36.1%) were the most common reasons for chemical contamination; violent attacks accounted for 8.3% of the cases and there was 1 suicide attempt. The eye (75%), skin (19.4%) or both (2 cases) were affected. The patient who committed suicide injured his face when ingesting sulfuric acid and died a few hours later. First aid consisted of rinsing with water, water and soap, or diphoterine. Follow-up eye care was given to all patients whose eyes were contaminated; 3 patients reported persistent eye symptoms. One patient reported a residual skin lesion.

Language: en

Keywords

Poisoning; Decontamination; Chemical decontamination area; Exposure to chemicals