- Email: [email protected]
Aerosols: The litter landmine
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burns 42 (2016) 1617–1622
These patients were affected with significant loosening in the area of dermo-epidermal level that enabled the penetration of another person’s finger without continuity of loosening epidermis. The gradual manifestation of this clinic sign is described in Figs. 1 and 2.
references
[1] Mockenhaupt M, Viboud C, Dunant A, Naldi L, Halevy S, Bouwes Bavinck JN, Sidoroff A, Schneck J, Roujeau JC, Flahault A. Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis: assessment of medication risks with emphasis on recently marketed drugs. The EuroSCAR-study. J Invest Dermatol 2008;128(January (1)):35–44. [2] Lipovy´ B, Brychta P, Chaloupkova´ Z, Sucha´nek I. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in the Czech Republic: an epidemiological study. Burns 2012;38(March (2)):296–300. [3] Quinn AM, Brown K, Bonish BK, Curry J, Gordon KB, Sinacore J, Gamelli R, Nickoloff BJ. Uncovering Histologic Criteria with Prognostic Significance in Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Arch Dermatol 2005;141(6):683–7. [4] Sachdev D, Sign of Nikolskiy & related signs. Indian J Dermatol Venerol Leprol 2003;69(3):243–4.
reaction to manuscript
[4] Horna Strand A, Rubertsson S, Huss F, Mani M. Epidermal exfoliation of over 95% after a burn in an 18-month-old boy: case report and review of the literature. Burns 2016;42(March (2)):e18–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2015.06.021.
B. Lipovy´a,b,* Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic b Medical Faculty, Masaryk University Brno, Czech Republic
a
*Correspondence to: Jihlavska´ 20, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic E-mail address: [email protected] (B. Lipovy´) Accepted 13 July 2016 [(501)TD.ENIM] http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.07.014 0305-4179/# 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.
Letter to the Editor Aerosols: The litter landmine
Dear Sir, A 45 year labourer was transferred to our burn service after he sustained superficial flash burns to his face and forearms. The incident occurred when he made contact with an aerosol can buried beneath the soil whilst using a handheld electric saw to cut through concrete.
The majority of the literature reviewed describes burns caused by the misuse of aerosol cans, including cryogenic burns, puncturing holes in the cans and explosions after leaving them near a thermal source [1–4]. There are no reports of concealed aerosols causing burns. In the United Kingdom, 600 million aerosols are purchased each year [5]. There is guidance explaining how to safely dispose of aerosols and hazardous waste produced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the British Aerosol Manufacture Association (BAMA) [5,6]. [3_TD$IF]The aerosol canister which caused the patient’s injuries[2_TD$IF] was manufactured in the United Kingdom. In addition, there were no instructions[4_TD$IF] on the canister on how to dispose of the product safely. It is estimated that recycling aerosols could save 25,000 tonnes of tinplated steel and 4500 tonnes of aluminium [5]. As this case shows, aerosols which are inappropriately disposed of have the potential of causing burns in the future, thereby potentially resulting in liability claims for construction companies. In summary, we encourage manufacturers of aerosols to provide disposal instructions to the public. Construction engineers and companies must ensure that they are disposed of according to guidance. Empty aerosols can be disposed of in local recycling centres/banks, however disposal of full aerosols containing hazardous products require specialist recycling centres. We urge whoever uses aerosols to follow the guidance on correct disposal and to be aware of the safety, financial and environmental costs from not complying.
references
[1] Stefanutti G, Yee J, Sparnon AL. Cryogenic burns from intentional use of aerosol spray in children: an emerging phenomenon. Burns 2010;36:65–7. [2] Chen XL. An accidental explosion burn caused by household insecticide. Burns 2004;30:289–90. [3] Marc B, Blanchet Ph, Boniol L. Domestic aerosol and flash fire: warning from a fatal case. Burns 2001;27:783–4. [4] Yarbrough DR. Burns due to aerosol can explosions. Burns 1998;24:270–1. [5] Health and Safety Executive Website. http://www.hse.gov. uk/waste/metals.htm [accessed 16.07.14]. [6] British Aerosol Manufacture Association website. http:// www.bama.co.uk/ [accessed 16.07.14].
Karl Walsh* Zeeshan SheikhE-mail address: [email protected] Ken DunnE-mail address: [email protected] Adult Burn Service, University Hospital of South Manchester, Southmoor Road, Manchester M23 9LT, United Kingdom *Corresponding author E-mail address: [email protected] (K. Walsh) Accepted 13 July 2016 [(50)TD.ENIM] http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.07.013 0305-4179/# 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
burns 42 (2016) 1617–1622
These patients were affected with significant loosening in the area of dermo-epidermal level that enabled the penetration of another person’s finger without continuity of loosening epidermis. The gradual manifestation of this clinic sign is described in Figs. 1 and 2.
references
[1] Mockenhaupt M, Viboud C, Dunant A, Naldi L, Halevy S, Bouwes Bavinck JN, Sidoroff A, Schneck J, Roujeau JC, Flahault A. Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis: assessment of medication risks with emphasis on recently marketed drugs. The EuroSCAR-study. J Invest Dermatol 2008;128(January (1)):35–44. [2] Lipovy´ B, Brychta P, Chaloupkova´ Z, Sucha´nek I. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in the Czech Republic: an epidemiological study. Burns 2012;38(March (2)):296–300. [3] Quinn AM, Brown K, Bonish BK, Curry J, Gordon KB, Sinacore J, Gamelli R, Nickoloff BJ. Uncovering Histologic Criteria with Prognostic Significance in Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Arch Dermatol 2005;141(6):683–7. [4] Sachdev D, Sign of Nikolskiy & related signs. Indian J Dermatol Venerol Leprol 2003;69(3):243–4.
reaction to manuscript
[4] Horna Strand A, Rubertsson S, Huss F, Mani M. Epidermal exfoliation of over 95% after a burn in an 18-month-old boy: case report and review of the literature. Burns 2016;42(March (2)):e18–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2015.06.021.
B. Lipovy´a,b,* Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic b Medical Faculty, Masaryk University Brno, Czech Republic
a
*Correspondence to: Jihlavska´ 20, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic E-mail address: [email protected] (B. Lipovy´) Accepted 13 July 2016 [(501)TD.ENIM] http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.07.014 0305-4179/# 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.
Letter to the Editor Aerosols: The litter landmine
Dear Sir, A 45 year labourer was transferred to our burn service after he sustained superficial flash burns to his face and forearms. The incident occurred when he made contact with an aerosol can buried beneath the soil whilst using a handheld electric saw to cut through concrete.
The majority of the literature reviewed describes burns caused by the misuse of aerosol cans, including cryogenic burns, puncturing holes in the cans and explosions after leaving them near a thermal source [1–4]. There are no reports of concealed aerosols causing burns. In the United Kingdom, 600 million aerosols are purchased each year [5]. There is guidance explaining how to safely dispose of aerosols and hazardous waste produced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the British Aerosol Manufacture Association (BAMA) [5,6]. [3_TD$IF]The aerosol canister which caused the patient’s injuries[2_TD$IF] was manufactured in the United Kingdom. In addition, there were no instructions[4_TD$IF] on the canister on how to dispose of the product safely. It is estimated that recycling aerosols could save 25,000 tonnes of tinplated steel and 4500 tonnes of aluminium [5]. As this case shows, aerosols which are inappropriately disposed of have the potential of causing burns in the future, thereby potentially resulting in liability claims for construction companies. In summary, we encourage manufacturers of aerosols to provide disposal instructions to the public. Construction engineers and companies must ensure that they are disposed of according to guidance. Empty aerosols can be disposed of in local recycling centres/banks, however disposal of full aerosols containing hazardous products require specialist recycling centres. We urge whoever uses aerosols to follow the guidance on correct disposal and to be aware of the safety, financial and environmental costs from not complying.
references
[1] Stefanutti G, Yee J, Sparnon AL. Cryogenic burns from intentional use of aerosol spray in children: an emerging phenomenon. Burns 2010;36:65–7. [2] Chen XL. An accidental explosion burn caused by household insecticide. Burns 2004;30:289–90. [3] Marc B, Blanchet Ph, Boniol L. Domestic aerosol and flash fire: warning from a fatal case. Burns 2001;27:783–4. [4] Yarbrough DR. Burns due to aerosol can explosions. Burns 1998;24:270–1. [5] Health and Safety Executive Website. http://www.hse.gov. uk/waste/metals.htm [accessed 16.07.14]. [6] British Aerosol Manufacture Association website. http:// www.bama.co.uk/ [accessed 16.07.14].
Karl Walsh* Zeeshan SheikhE-mail address: [email protected] Ken DunnE-mail address: [email protected] Adult Burn Service, University Hospital of South Manchester, Southmoor Road, Manchester M23 9LT, United Kingdom *Corresponding author E-mail address: [email protected] (K. Walsh) Accepted 13 July 2016 [(50)TD.ENIM] http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.07.013 0305-4179/# 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.