TY - JOUR
T1 - Acute hydrofluoric acid exposure reported to Taiwan Poison Control Center, 1991-2010
AU - Wu, M. L.
AU - Yang, C. C.
AU - Ger, J.
AU - Tsai, W. J.
AU - Deng, J. F.
PY - 2014/5
Y1 - 2014/5
N2 - Background: Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is a dangerous chemical that can cause severe cutaneous burns as well as possible systemic toxicity. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all human HF exposure cases reported to the National Poison Control Center of Taiwan between 1991 and 2010. Results: In this 20-year survey, 324 calls were identified, with a majority of dermal exposure (84%). Occupational exposure accounted for 80% of all cases, with workers in semiconductor industry (61%), cleaning industry (15%), chemical or metal industry (13%), and other industries (11%). Electrolyte imbalances were uncommon, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypokalemia were recorded in 8.6%, 1.2%, and 1.5% of all cases, respectively. Most cases (64%) of dermal exposure received antidotal treatment. Treatment modalities of dermal exposure included calcium gluconate soaking, 49.8%; intravenous calcium, 20.6%; and topical use of calcium gluconate gel, 13.9%. Twenty patients (7%) received surgery. Following HF exposure, the majority of patients presented with mild (56.5%) or moderate (36.7%) toxic effects. However, four patients were severely intoxicated; two patients died of HF-related dysrhythmia and shock. Conclusions: Significant symptomology may occur following HF exposure, and most of the HF exposure required hospitals evaluation. Calcium gluconate soaks appear to be effective in reducing local pain and tissue damage. Hyperkalemia should not be overemphasized as a common finding in HF exposure, hypokalemia tends to occur in cases of severe HF poisoning.
AB - Background: Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is a dangerous chemical that can cause severe cutaneous burns as well as possible systemic toxicity. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all human HF exposure cases reported to the National Poison Control Center of Taiwan between 1991 and 2010. Results: In this 20-year survey, 324 calls were identified, with a majority of dermal exposure (84%). Occupational exposure accounted for 80% of all cases, with workers in semiconductor industry (61%), cleaning industry (15%), chemical or metal industry (13%), and other industries (11%). Electrolyte imbalances were uncommon, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypokalemia were recorded in 8.6%, 1.2%, and 1.5% of all cases, respectively. Most cases (64%) of dermal exposure received antidotal treatment. Treatment modalities of dermal exposure included calcium gluconate soaking, 49.8%; intravenous calcium, 20.6%; and topical use of calcium gluconate gel, 13.9%. Twenty patients (7%) received surgery. Following HF exposure, the majority of patients presented with mild (56.5%) or moderate (36.7%) toxic effects. However, four patients were severely intoxicated; two patients died of HF-related dysrhythmia and shock. Conclusions: Significant symptomology may occur following HF exposure, and most of the HF exposure required hospitals evaluation. Calcium gluconate soaks appear to be effective in reducing local pain and tissue damage. Hyperkalemia should not be overemphasized as a common finding in HF exposure, hypokalemia tends to occur in cases of severe HF poisoning.
KW - Hydrofluoric acid
KW - exposure
KW - hypocalcemia
KW - hypokalemia
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84899025866&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0960327113499165
DO - 10.1177/0960327113499165
M3 - Review article
C2 - 23892993
AN - SCOPUS:84899025866
SN - 0960-3271
VL - 33
SP - 449
EP - 454
JO - Human and Experimental Toxicology
JF - Human and Experimental Toxicology
IS - 5
ER -