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Burns caused by dilute hydrofluoric acid in the bleach
Kazuhisa Fujimoto1, Naoaki Yasuhara, Harumichi Kawarada
1Department of Dermatology, Nippon Medical School, Tama Nagayama Hospital, 1-7-1 Nagayama, Tama-shi, Tokyo 206-8512, Japan. funfun/derma@nms.ac.jp
Summary
Workers suffered severe hydrofluoric acid burns from cleaning fluid. Lack of proper labeling and education led to delayed diagnosis and treatment of these dangerous chemical burns.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Toxicology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is a highly corrosive chemical used in cleaning agents.
- Improper handling and lack of awareness regarding HF hazards can lead to severe chemical burns.
Observation:
- Two male cleaning workers presented with painful, swollen, and red hands and fingers.
- The symptoms were attributed to burns from a cleaning agent containing 9.5% hydrofluoric acid.
Findings:
- Patients were unaware of the HF content and associated dangers, and did not use protective gloves.
- Emergency room physicians overlooked HF burns despite identifying the cleaning agent, possibly due to atypical burn presentation and small print labeling.
- Treatment involved subcutaneous calcium gluconate injection and benzethonium chloride dressing.
Implications:
- Clearer labeling of hazardous chemicals like hydrofluoric acid is crucial for worker safety and public awareness.
- Enhanced education on handling dangerous substances is necessary to prevent future incidents.
- Increased accessibility of HF necessitates greater vigilance in diagnosing and treating chemical burns.