title: Injuries following a serious hydrofluoric acid leak: First aid and lessons.
abstract: Hydrofluoric acid is a dangerous inorganic acid that can cause local corrosion and systemic effects by ongoing absorption via the skin, mucosae, respiratory tract and digestive system. Recently, a serious toxic leak of low-concentration hydrofluoric acid solution occurred in the Pujiang area of Zhejiang Province, China. This accident resulted in 253 cases of chemical injury due to hydrofluoric acid exposure. Despite an immediate response by the local and provincial health-care system, as well as the local government, three people died due to acute poisoning and related complications. This article describes the events that took place leading to casualties as well as presenting the first-aid experience and the lessons learnt from this kind of mass injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Zhejiang Quhua Hospital, Quzhou 324004, China.
authors.forename: Yuanhai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Burns & Wound Care Centre, 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, College of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China. Electronic address: wxg8157@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Xingang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, China.
authors.forename: Komal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Pujiang People's Hospital, Jinhua 322400, China.
authors.forename: Xinxing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Jinhua Central Hospital, Jinhua 321000, China.
authors.forename: Xuguang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Zhejiang Quhua Hospital, Quzhou 324004, China.
authors.forename: Liangfang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.affiliation: Department of Burns & Wound Care Centre, 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, College of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China.
authors.forename: Chunmao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002059:Burns, Inhalation / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005392:First Aid / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D054527:Mass Casualty Incidents; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid
keywords: Chemical burns; Hydrofluoric acid; Inhalation injury; Poisoning