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KMID : 0853020070100020143
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Journal of Korean Burn Society
2007 Volume.10 No. 2 p.143 ~ p.145
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Burn Caused by Butane Explosion during Garbage Incineration
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Hur Gi-Yeun
Ko Jang-Hyu
Seo Dong-Kook
Lee Jong-Wook
Choi Jai-Koo
Jang Young-Chul
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Abstract
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Backgrounds: As society becomes industrialized, illegal incineration of garbage reduced due to professional disposable facilities taking care of industrial wastes, but some people still incinerate garbage on hidden places. These actions undertaken without any protection may lead to flame burns due to sudden fire or explosion. The authors will describe the clinical aspects of these people and tell the danger of illegal incineration of garbage.
Methods: We studied 94 patients who suffered flame burn due to incineration of garbage admitted from 2001 to 2005 retrospectively. Age, gender, cause of explosion, season, surface area and region, operation, in-hospital days, and associated injuries were inquired.
Results: Patient population consisted of 65 men and 29 women with the average age of 41.2±17.9 (4∼74). Most of the patients received flame burn injury when butane or spray cans exploded while incinerating garbage. Region of the injury was mostly facial and hand area. Average surface area was 7.6±3.5% and most cured with burn dressing, but skin graft was needed in 17 cases (18%). Average in-hospital days was 6.8±8.7, and average time from injury to discharge was 14.4±8.7 days. As of associated injuries, 15 cases of opthalmological problems including excess lacrimation, 1 case of psychiatrical problems including insomnia and PTSD, and 1 case of otolaryngological problem includingnasal cavity burn was present.
Conclusions: Flame burn caused by incineration of garbage usually occurred on facial and hand areas, and may require operation on upper and lower extremities where fire canignite. Rare, but serious complications such as cornea injury and PTSD may also occur. Since these cases are due to illegal incineration of garbage, public information and education is may be needed. (Journal of Korean Burn Society 2007; 10:143-145)
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KEYWORD
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Flame burn, Butane, Explosion, Garbage incineration
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