Corrosive attacks in the UK - Psychosocial perspectives and decontamination strategies

Acid attacks, or vitriolage, are defined as violent assaults involving the deliberate throwing of an acid or similarly corrosive substance with the intention to "maim, disfigure, torture or kill" [1]. The Acid Survivors Trust International suggest a prevalence of 1500 attacks reported worldwide per annum, although this is likely to be an underestimate by 40% [2]. The UK is thought to have one of the highest of rates of recorded corrosive attacks, with an increase from 228 attacks in 2012 to 601 in 2016. Most were reported by the London Metropolitan police force followed by Northumbria, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Greater Manchester and Humberside [[2]]. The chemical agents involved include acids, alkalis, oxidising and reducing agents, alkylating and chelating agents and solvents. They cause injury by producing a chemical interaction which can lead to extensive tissue destruction and extreme pain. Herein, we present a review on the changing epidemiology of corrosive attacks in the UK and currently employed management strategies.