Domestic Cylinder Blasts: A Neglected Torpedo.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Burn Injury Research

Background:

• High-pressure liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders pose a significant risk of explosion, leading to severe burn injuries.
• LPG-related burn incidents represent a critical public health concern requiring epidemiological investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of patients with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-related burns.
• To identify risk factors and outcomes associated with LPG cylinder explosions.
• To inform public health strategies for burn injury prevention.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 678 patients with LPG-related burns admitted between January 2011 and December 2020.
• Data collection included demographics, burn site, total body surface area (%TBSA), associated injuries, and outcomes.
• Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 25.0.

Main Results:

• The study identified 678 patients affected by LPG accidents over 10 years, with a peak incidence in 2019.
• The median age of affected patients was 40.86 years, with a near-equal gender distribution (52.50% male, 47.50% female).
• A high proportion of patients (57.96%) had >60% TBSA burns, 86.72% suffered inhalation injuries, and 84.66% of incidents occurred at home, resulting in a 59.58% mortality rate.

Conclusions:

• Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder blasts are a preventable cause of severe burn injuries and fatalities.
• Enhanced public awareness regarding the safe use of LPG is essential for minimizing incidents.
• National-level safety awareness programs are recommended to reduce the incidence and impact of LPG-related burns.