Acute hydrofluoric acid exposure reported to Taiwan Poison Control Center, 1991-2010.
Hum Exp Toxicol
; 33(5): 449-54, 2014 May.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23892993
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is a dangerous chemical that can cause severe cutaneous burns as well as possible systemic toxicity.METHODS:
We retrospectively analyzed all human HF exposure cases reported to the National Poison Control Center of Taiwan between 1991 and 2010.RESULTS:
In this 20-year survey, 324 calls were identified, with a majority of dermal exposure (84%). Occupational exposure accounted for 80% of all cases, with workers in semiconductor industry (61%), cleaning industry (15%), chemical or metal industry (13%), and other industries (11%). Electrolyte imbalances were uncommon, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypokalemia were recorded in 8.6%, 1.2%, and 1.5% of all cases, respectively. Most cases (64%) of dermal exposure received antidotal treatment. Treatment modalities of dermal exposure included calcium gluconate soaking, 49.8%; intravenous calcium, 20.6%; and topical use of calcium gluconate gel, 13.9%. Twenty patients (7%) received surgery. Following HF exposure, the majority of patients presented with mild (56.5%) or moderate (36.7%) toxic effects. However, four patients were severely intoxicated; two patients died of HF-related dysrhythmia and shock.CONCLUSIONS:
Significant symptomology may occur following HF exposure, and most of the HF exposure required hospitals evaluation. Calcium gluconate soaks appear to be effective in reducing local pain and tissue damage. Hyperkalemia should not be overemphasized as a common finding in HF exposure, hypokalemia tends to occur in cases of severe HF poisoning.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Poison Control Centers
/
Hydrofluoric Acid
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Hum Exp Toxicol
Journal subject:
TOXICOLOGIA
Year:
2014
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Taiwan