Fatality due to acute fluoride poisoning in the workplace.

Abstract

We report a case of a 65-year-old worker who suffered a third-degree skin burn to 5% of his total body surface area as a result of being splashed in the face with hydrofluoric acid (HF). He died shortly thereafter without having received adequate first aid. His serum fluoride concentration was markedly increased at 6.38 mg/dl with hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia. We concluded that he died of HF poisoning. In this case he might have managed to avoid death if he had not been working alone and if he had received adequate first aid on the scene as soon as possible. We re-emphasize the need for the immediate initiation of first aid on the scene and the distribution of information on the risks of HF to workers.

• Authors: Izumi Takase, Koichi Kono, Akiyoshi Tamura, Hajime Nishio, Tomotaro Dote, Koichi Suzuki
• Journal: Legal medicine (Tokyo, Japan) (Leg Med (Tokyo)) Vol. 6 Issue 3 Pg. 197-200 (Jul 2004) ISSN: 1344-6223 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 15231293 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Fluorides
• Hydrofluoric Acid

Topics

• Accidents, Occupational
• Aged
• Burns, Chemical (complications)
• Fatal Outcome
• Fluoride Poisoning (etiology)
• Fluorides (blood)
• Humans
• Hydrofluoric Acid
• Male
• Occupational Diseases (chemically induced)
• Skin (drug effects)