A ten-year retrospective analysis of cement burns in a tertiary burns center.

ABSTRACT

Cement is extensively used both in the professional construction and "do-it-yourself" industries. Despite a number of small published series during the past 80 years highlighting its potential for harm, little seems to have been done to make consumers aware of its risks of causing serious burn injuries. The authors present 10 years of a tertiary adult burn center's experience with these burns, and highlight the significance of these burns on the active, working sector of society. Both professionals and part-time enthusiasts are affected, with burns of significant depth and subsequent impairment of normal functioning. The authors propose a better education system to highlight the risks and, in time, reduce the incidence of cement burns.