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Chemical Burns from Secondary Exposure to Paraquat Through Mishandling Urine of a Patient with Toxic Exposure
- Source :
- Journal of burn careresearch : official publication of the American Burn Association. 42(5)
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Paraquat is used throughout the world as an herbicide due to its efficacy and relative safety with proper handling. Accidents and misuse still occur, leading to countries banning its use or employing extra safeguards and special handling certifications. Severe toxicity is primarily associated with ingestion, but skin exposure leads to corrosive injury to the dermis, occurs rapidly, and progresses for up to 24 h. Prolonged skin exposure or the presence of open wounds can lead to systemic absorption. This is the first known report of burn injury and treatment due to secondary exposure to the urine of a patient who had accidental ingestion of paraquat. A 50-year-old Caucasian male presented to the emergency room after accidental ingestion of eight ounces of Gramoxone extra (Paraquat 30% concentration). During the initial care of the patient, the bedside registered nurse was placing an indwelling foley catheter when her forearms were contaminated with urine while wearing basic personal protective equipment (gloves). The registered nurse noticed bullae to bilateral forearms a short time after exposure to the urine. She presented to the burn center for evaluation and treatment. Poison Control was contacted but was unable to offer advise due to a lack of supportive literature. The risk and effects of primary exposure to Paraquat is described throughout the literature and documented in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), but data regarding risk and treatment of secondary exposure is lacking. This case will aid outreach efforts for the prevention and treatment of burn injuries from secondary exposure to paraquat.
- Subjects :
- Paraquat
Burn injury
medicine.medical_specialty
Poison control
Urine
030226 pharmacology & pharmacy
030207 dermatology & venereal diseases
03 medical and health sciences
chemistry.chemical_compound
0302 clinical medicine
Risk Factors
Occupational Exposure
Burns, Chemical
medicine
Ingestion
Accidents, Occupational
Humans
Workplace
Personal protective equipment
business.industry
Rehabilitation
Burn center
Middle Aged
Corrosive Injury
chemistry
Emergency medicine
Emergency Medicine
Surgery
Female
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15590488
- Volume :
- 42
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of burn careresearch : official publication of the American Burn Association
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....b08aca62c8dbbfc33f7de721f411a743