Contact with wet cement: an unrecognized cause of chemical burn

Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg. 2012 Mar;18(2):189-91. doi: 10.5505/tjtes.2012.56254.

Abstract

Chemical burns account for a small percentage of admissions to burn units. Wet cement is a poorly recognized cause of chemical burn. As the construction industry is growing, individuals will likely have more contact with this material and be more prone to its harmful effects. Wet cement can cause severe full-thickness burns with prolonged contact, but this property is not well known among professional users. The lack of information about the potential hazards of wet cement makes it an important problem that must be considered more seriously as a risk factor for chemical burn. Increasing public knowledge of the necessary preventive measures is crucial for avoiding this type of chemical burn injury. Here, we report a case with full-thickness burn that occurred while working with wet cement without proper protection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum Compounds / adverse effects*
  • Aluminum Compounds / chemistry
  • Burns, Chemical / etiology*
  • Burns, Chemical / pathology
  • Burns, Chemical / therapy
  • Calcium Compounds / adverse effects*
  • Calcium Compounds / chemistry
  • Construction Materials / adverse effects*
  • Debridement
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis
  • Oxides / adverse effects*
  • Oxides / chemistry
  • Silicates / adverse effects*
  • Silicates / chemistry
  • Skin Transplantation

Substances

  • Aluminum Compounds
  • Calcium Compounds
  • Oxides
  • Silicates
  • calcium aluminate
  • lime