KSOEM
Search
- Page Path
- HOME > Search
Case Report
- A case of syncope in a villager with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy after hydrogen sulfide exposure by an unauthorized discharge of wastewater
- Hyeonjun Kim, Seunghyeon Cho, Inho Jung, Sunjin Jung, Won-Ju Park
- Ann Occup Environ Med 2023;35:e34. Published online August 21, 2023
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2023.35.e34
-
Abstract
Abstract in Korean
PDF
PubReader
ePub Background Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic substance that humans can be exposed to occupationally, and cases of hydrogen sulfide poisoning of workers in industrial sites are commonly reported. However, there have been no cases of poisoning of the public due to an unauthorized discharge of wastewater, so it is important to describe this incident.
Case presentation In a small village in Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea, accounts of a terrible stench had been reported. A 26-year-old man who lived and worked in a foul-smelling area was taken to the emergency room with a headache, dizziness, nausea, and repeated syncope. A subsequent police and Ministry of Environment investigation determined that the cause of the stench was the unauthorized discharge of 9 tons of wastewater containing hydrogen sulfide through a stormwater pipe while the villagers were sleeping. The patient had no previous medical history or experience of symptoms. Leukocytes and cardiac markers were elevated, an electrocardiogram indicated biatrial enlargement, left ventricular hypertrophy, and corrected QT interval prolongation. Myocardial hypertrophy was detected on a chest computed tomography scan, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was confirmed on echocardiography. After hospitalization, cardiac marker concentrations declined, symptoms improved, and the patient was discharged after 7 days of hospitalization. There was no recurrence of symptoms after discharge.
Conclusions We suspect that previously unrecognized heart disease manifested or was aggravated in this patient due to exposure to hydrogen sulfide. Attention should be paid to the possibility of unauthorized discharge of hydrogen sulfide, etc., in occasional local incidents and damage to public health. In the event of such an accident, it is necessary to have government guidelines in place to investigate health impact and follow-up clinical management of exposed residents.
- 무단 방류된 황화수소 노출에 의해 비후성심근증이 악화되어 실신한 마을 주민 사례
배경
황화수소 중독은 산업현장, 하수처리시설 또는 관리되지 않는 화장실 등에서 흔하게 보고된다. 다만 폐수 무단 방류로 인해 일반 주민에게 건강 영향이 발생한 사례는 보고된 바 없어 이를 보고한다.
증례
전라남도 한 지역에서 새벽부터 심한 악취가 난다는 주민 신고가 다수 발생하였다. 경찰과 환경청의 조사 결과 악취의 원인은 새벽에 주민들이 잠든 사이 폐수처리업체에서 황화수소가 포함된 폐수 9톤을 우수관을 통해 무단으로 방류한 것으로 밝혀졌다. 심한 악취가 나는 지역에서 장시간 활동했던 26살 남성이 두통, 어지럼증, 메스꺼움과 짧은 실신을 반복하여 119를 통해 응급실로 내원하였다. 환자는 과거에 특별한 병력이나 증상 경험은 없었다. 검사상 환자의 백혈구와 심장 표지자 수치가 상승되어 있었다. 심전도에서 양측 심방 확장, 좌심실 비대 및 QTc 연장이 관찰되었다. 흉부 컴퓨터 단층 촬영 상 심근비대 소견과 심장 초음파 검사 상 비후성심근증이 확인되었다. 입원하여 대증치료 후 심장 표지자 수치는 감소하였고, 증상은 호전되어 입원 7일 만에 퇴원하였다. 퇴원 이후 추적관찰 동안 특별한 증상은 재발하지 않았다.
결과
본 사례는 환자가 이전에 인지하지 못하고 증상도 없었던 비후성심근증이 황화수소 노출로 인해 급성 악화된 것으로 판단된다. 종종 발생하는 지역의 악취 사건에 황화수소가 무단 방류되었을 가능성을 고려해야 할 것이며, 향후 이러한 화학사고 발생 시 화학물질관리법에 따른 주민 건강영향조사를 실시하여 주민 건강을 관리해야 할 것이다.
- 58 View
- 0 Download
Research Article
- Acute respiratory symptoms and evacuation-related behavior after exposure to chlorine gas leakage
- Sung-Woo Han, Won-Jun Choi, Min-Kee Yi, Seng-Ho Song, Dong-Hoon Lee, Sang-Hwan Han
- Ann Occup Environ Med 2016;28:29. Published online July 4, 2016
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-016-0115-2
-
Abstract
PDFPubReaderePub
Background A study was performed on the accidental chlorine gas leakage that occurred in a factory of printed circuit boards manufactured without chlorine. Health examination was performed for all 52 workers suspected of exposure to chlorine gas, and their evacuation-related behaviors were observed in addition to analyzing the factors that affected the duration of their acute respiratory symptoms.
Methods Behavioral characteristics during the incidence of the accidental chlorine gas leakage, the estimated time of exposure, and the duration of subjective acute respiratory symptoms were investigated. In addition, clinical examination, chest radiography, and dental erosion test were performed. As variables that affected the duration of respiratory symptoms, dose group, body weight, age, sex, smoking, work period, and wearing a protective gear were included and analyzed by using the Cox proportional hazard model.
Results Of 47 workers exposed to chlorine gas, 36 (77 %) developed more than one subjective symptom. The duration of the subjective symptoms according to exposure level significantly differed, with a median of 1 day (range, 0–5 days) in the low-exposure group and 2 days (range, 0–25 days) in the high-exposure group. Among the variables that affected the duration of the acute respiratory symptoms, which were analyzed by using the Cox proportional hazard model, only exposure level was significant (hazard ratio 2.087, 95 % CI = 1.119, 3.890). Regarding the evacuation-related behaviors, 22 workers (47 %) voluntarily evacuated to a safety zone immediately after recognizing the accidental exposure, but 25 workers (43 %) delayed evacuation until the start of mandatory evacuation (min 5, max 25 min).
Conclusions The duration of the subjective acute respiratory symptoms significantly differed between the low- and high-exposure groups. Among the 27 workers in the high-exposure group, 17 misjudged the toxicity after being aware of the gas leakage, which is a relatively high number.
-
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
- Migration behavior of chlorine and sulfur during gasification and combustion of biomass and coal
Yuefeng Wang, Yuhong Qin, Stanislav V. Vassilev, Chong He, Christina G. Vassileva, Yuexing Wei
Biomass and Bioenergy.2024; 182: 107080. CrossRef - Acute chlorine poisoning caused by an accident at a swimming pool
Wu Na, Yiran Wang, An Li, Xiaoli Zhu, Changjiang Xue, Qiao Ye
Toxicology and Industrial Health.2021; 37(9): 513. CrossRef - Removal of gaseous elemental mercury by hydrogen chloride non-thermal plasma modified biochar
Jinjing Luo, Mingchang Jin, Lurong Ye, Yinan Cao, Yonggui Yan, Rupeng Du, Ryo Yoshiie, Yasuaki Ueki, Ichiro Naruse, ChinJung Lin, YiYuan Lee
Journal of Hazardous Materials.2019; 377: 132. CrossRef
- Migration behavior of chlorine and sulfur during gasification and combustion of biomass and coal
- 38 View
- 0 Download
- 2 Web of Science
- 3 Crossref
Case Report
- Acute health effects of accidental chlorine gas exposure
- Joo-An Kim, Seong-Yong Yoon, Seong-Yong Cho, Jin-Hyun Yu, Hwa-Sung Kim, Gune-Il Lim, Jin-Seok Kim
- Ann Occup Environ Med 2014;26:29-29. Published online October 1, 2014
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-014-0029-9
-
Abstract
PDFPubReaderePub
Objectives This study was conducted to report the course of an accidental release of chlorine gas that occurred in a factory in Gumi-si, South Korea, on March 5, 2013. We describe the analysis results of 2 patients hospitalized because of chlorine-induced acute health problems, as well as the clinical features of 209 non-hospitalized patients.
Methods We analyzed the medical records of the 2 hospitalized patients admitted to the hospital, as well as the medical records and self-report questionnaires of 209 non-hospitalized patients completed during outpatient treatment.
Results Immediately after the exposure, the 2 hospitalized patients developed acute asthma-like symptoms such as cough and dyspnea, and showed restrictive and combined pattern ventilatory defects on the pulmonary function test. The case 1 showed asthma-like symptoms over six months and diurnal variability in peak expiratory flow rate was 56.7%. In case 2, his FEV1 after treatment (93%) increased by 25% compared to initial FEV1 (68%). Both cases were diagnosed as chlorine-induced reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) on the basis of these clinical features. The most frequent chief complaints of the 209 non-hospitalized patients were headache (22.7%), followed by eye irritation (18.2%), nausea (11.2%), and sore throat (10.8%), with asymptomatic patients accounting for 36.5%. The multiple-response analysis of individual symptom revealed headache (42.4%) to be the most frequent symptom, followed by eye irritation (30.5%), sore throat (30.0%), cough (29.6%), nausea (27.6%), and dizziness (27.3%).
Conclusions The 2 patients hospitalized after exposure to chlorine gas at the leakage site showed a clinical course corresponding to RADS. All of the 209 non-hospitalized patients only complained of symptoms of the upper airways and mucous membrane irritation.
-
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by- Chloropicrin induced ocular injury: Biomarkers, potential mechanisms, and treatments
Ebenezar O.M. Okoyeocha, Neera Tewari-Singh
Toxicology Letters.2024; 396: 70. CrossRef - “Air That Once Was Breath” Part 2: Wildfire Smoke and Airway Disease – “Climate Change, Allergy and Immunology” Special IAAI Article Collection: Collegium Internationale Allergologicum Update 2023
Willis S. Bowman, Rebecca J. Schmidt, Gursharan K. Sanghar, George R. Thompson III, Hong Ji, Amir A. Zeki, Angela Haczku
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology.2024; 185(6): 617. CrossRef - Chlorine gas exposure and evolutive patterns of reactive airways dysfunction syndrome: a systematic review
Angelica dos Santos Vianna, Ana Clara Poyares de Mello Bhering, Fernanda Cavalcante Antunes da Silva, Rosa Cristina dos Santos Vianna, Aline de Souza Espindola Santos
Revista Brasileira de Saúde Ocupacional.2023;[Epub] CrossRef - Exposição ao gás cloro e padrões evolutivos da síndrome da disfunção reativa das vias aéreas: uma revisão sistemática
Angelica dos Santos Vianna, Ana Clara Poyares de Mello Bhering, Fernanda Cavalcante Antunes da Silva, Rosa Cristina dos Santos Vianna, Aline de Souza Espindola Santos
Revista Brasileira de Saúde Ocupacional.2023;[Epub] CrossRef - Dose and gender dependence of chlorine inhalation in a conscious ovine model
Tuvshintugs Baljinnyam, Yosuke Niimi, John R. Salsbury, Satoshi Fukuda, Casey M. Ouellette, Clark R. Andersen, Yasutaka Hirasawa, Donald A. Prough, C. Edwin Garner, Andrew L. Salzman, Perenlei Enkhbaatar
Scientific Reports.2023;[Epub] CrossRef - Ophthalmic Manifestations of Chlorine Gas Exposure: What Do We Know So Far?
Khayry Al-Shami, Salman Almurabi , Jafar Shatnawi, Khaled Qasagsah, Ghayda' Shatnawi, Abdulqadir J Nashwan
Cureus.2023;[Epub] CrossRef - Comparative Analysis of Hydrogen Fluoride-Exposed Patients Based on Major Burn Criteria After the 2012 Gumi City Chemical Leak Disaster
Heejun Shin, Se Kwang Oh, Han You Lee, Heajin Chung, Seong Yong Yoon, Sung Yong Choi
Journal of Burn Care & Research.2022; 43(4): 834. CrossRef - Human chlorine gas exposition and its management – an umbrella review on human data
Aboubakari Nambiema, Gabrielle Coyo, Jean-Baptiste Barbe-Richaud, Jeremy Blottiaux, Nicolas Retière-Doré, Grace Sembajwe, Alexis Descatha
Critical Reviews in Toxicology.2022; 52(1): 32. CrossRef - Exposure to an accidental trichlorosilane spill: three case reports
Chang Won Park, Seong Hun Kim, Soo Hyung Lee, Shinwoo Kim, Woo Young Nho
Clinical and Experimental Emergency Medicine.2022; 9(3): 262. CrossRef - Acute chlorine poisoning caused by an accident at a swimming pool
Wu Na, Yiran Wang, An Li, Xiaoli Zhu, Changjiang Xue, Qiao Ye
Toxicology and Industrial Health.2021; 37(9): 513. CrossRef - Lessons learned from reviewing a hospital’s disaster response to the hydrofluoric acid leak in Gumi city in 2012
Heejun Shin, Se Kwang Oh, Han You Lee, Heajin Chung, Seong Yong Yoon, Sung Yong Choi, Jae Hyuk Kim
BMC Emergency Medicine.2021;[Epub] CrossRef - Forensic issues arising in the assessment of chlorine-related deaths in a domestic setting
Judith Fronczek, John D Gilbert, Roger W Byard
Medicine, Science and the Law.2021; 61(3): 232. CrossRef - Acute accidental inhalation of Chlorine gas: A mini review
Franco Lai, Alessio Baldini, Luca Becheroni, Iacopo Cappellini, Barbara Balzarini, Francesco De Antoniis, Alessandra Ieri, Francesco Gambassi, Chiara Pagnini, Lorenzo Pelagatti, Mario Rugna, Simone Magazzini
Emergency Care Journal.2021;[Epub] CrossRef - Clinical Presentations and Outcomes of Industrial Chlorine Gas Exposure Incidence in Oman
Muhammad Faisal Khilji
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine.2021; 36(1): 18. CrossRef - Choking agents and chlorine gas – History, pathophysiology, clinical effects and treatment
Tobias Zellner, Florian Eyer
Toxicology Letters.2020; 320: 73. CrossRef - Updated review of reported cases of reactive airways dysfunction syndrome
G I Walters, C C Huntley
Occupational Medicine.2020; 70(7): 490. CrossRef - Aggravation of asthmatic inflammation by chlorine exposure via innate lymphoid cells and CD11cintermediate macrophages
Ji‐Su Shim, Hyun‐Seung Lee, Da‐Eun Park, Ji Won Lee, Boram Bae, Yuna Chang, Jihyun Kim, Hye Young Kim, Hye‐Ryun Kang
Allergy.2020; 75(2): 381. CrossRef - Lungenschädigung durch akute Schadstoffinhalation
C. Steiner, C. Eisenhawer, R. Merget
Der Pneumologe.2019; 16(3): 160. CrossRef - Chemical pneumonitis in a 9-year-old following chlorine gas exposure
Suzanne Cromie, Christopher Flannigan
BMJ Case Reports.2019; 12(7): e229281. CrossRef - Emergency management of chlorine gas exposure – a systematic review
Alice Huynh Tuong, Thomas Despréaux, Thomas Loeb, Jérôme Salomon, Bruno Mégarbane, Alexis Descatha
Clinical Toxicology.2019; 57(2): 77. CrossRef - Chlorine exposure during a biological decontamination study in a mock subway tunnel
John D. Archer, Rebecca DeVries, Andrew J. Imler
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.2019; 16(9): 607. CrossRef - Civilian exposure to chlorine gas: A systematic review
P. Govier, J.M. Coulson
Toxicology Letters.2018; 293: 249. CrossRef - Acute respiratory symptoms and evacuation-related behavior after exposure to chlorine gas leakage
Sung-Woo Han, Won-Jun Choi, Min-Kee Yi, Seng-Ho Song, Dong-Hoon Lee, Sang-Hwan Han
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2016;[Epub] CrossRef - Deliberate exposure of humans to chlorine-the aftermath of Ebola in West Africa
Shaheen Mehtar, Andre N. H. Bulabula, Haurace Nyandemoh, Steve Jambawai
Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control.2016;[Epub] CrossRef - Factors Associating Major Burn in Chemical Injury Patients due to Industrial Place Incident : A Retrospective study
Hee-Jun Shin, Se-Kwang Oh, Han-You Lee
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2016; 17(4): 332. CrossRef
- Chloropicrin induced ocular injury: Biomarkers, potential mechanisms, and treatments
- 57 View
- 0 Download
- 31 Web of Science
- 25 Crossref
Research Article
- Acute Symptoms in Firefighters who Participated in Collection Work after the Community Hydrogen Fluoride Spill Accident
- Seong-Yong Cho, Kuck-Hyun Woo, Jin-Seok Kim, Seong-Yong Yoon, Joo-Yong Na, Jin-Hyun Yu, Yong-Bae Kim
- Ann Occup Environ Med 2013;25:36-36. Published online November 28, 2013
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-4374-25-36
-
Abstract
PDFPubReaderePub
Objectives This study aimed to analyze the relationship between clinical status and work characteristics of firefighters and other public officers who engaged on collection duties in the site of the hydrogen fluoride spill that occurred on September 27, 2012, in Gumi City, South Korea.
Methods We investigated the clinical status, personal history, and work characteristics of the study subjects and performed physical examination and several clinical examinations, including chest radiography, echocardiography, pulmonary function test, and blood testing in 348 firefighters, police officers, volunteer firefighters, and special warfare reserved force who worked at the hydrogen fluoride spill area.
Results The subjects who worked near the accident site more frequently experienced eye symptoms (p = 0.026), cough (p = 0.017), and headache (p = 0.003) than the subjects who worked farther from the accident site. The longer the working hours at the accident area, the more frequently the subjects experienced pulmonary (p = 0.027), sputum (p = 0.043), and vomiting symptoms (p = 0.003). The subjects who did not wear respiratory protective devices more frequently experienced dyspnea than those who wore respiratory protective devices (p = 0.013). In the pulmonary function test, the subjects who worked near the accident site had a higher decease in forced vital capacity than the subjects who worked farther from the site (p = 0.019); however, no statistical association was found between serum calcium/phosphate level, echocardiography result, chest radiographic result, and probation work characteristics.
Conclusions The subjects who worked near the site of the hydrogen fluoride spill, worked for an extended period, or worked without wearing respiratory protective devices more frequently experienced upper/lower respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological symptoms. Further follow-up examination is needed for the workers who were exposed to hydrogen fluoride during their collection duties in the chemical plant in Gumi City.
-
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by- Highly sensitive sensing of CO and HF gases by monolayer CuCl
Shamiala Pervaiz, M. Usman Saeed, Sehrish Khan, Bisma Asghar, Y. Saeed, Hosam O. Elansary, A. U. R. Bacha
RSC Advances.2024; 14(23): 16284. CrossRef - Theoretical Study of ZnS Monolayer Adsorption Behavior for CO and HF Gas Molecules
Lalmuan Chhana, Bernard Lalroliana, Ramesh Chandra Tiwari, Bhanu Chettri, Lalrinthara Pachuau, Shivraj Gurung, Lalmuanpuia Vanchhawng, Dibya Prakash Rai, Lalhriat Zuala, Ramakrishna Madaka
ACS Omega.2022; 7(44): 40176. CrossRef - Lessons Learned from Major Environmental Health Disasters in South Korea and the Role of Environmental Health Experts
Jong-Ju Ahn
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2022; 48(1): 9. CrossRef - A multidisciplinary assessment of the impact of spilled acids on geoecosystems: an overview
Sung Pil Hyun, Doyun Shin, Hee Sun Moon, Young-Soo Han, Seonjin Ha, Yoonho Lee, Eunhee Lee, Hyun Jung, Yu Sik Hwang
Environmental Science and Pollution Research.2020; 27(9): 9803. CrossRef - Effects on photosynthesis and polyphenolic compounds in crop plant mung bean (Vigna radiata) following simulated accidental exposure to hydrogen peroxide
Yooeun Chae, Rongxue Cui, Jieun Lee, Youn-Joo An
Journal of Hazardous Materials.2020; 383: 121088. CrossRef - Development of Methodology for Vulnerability Assessment of Chemical Accident in Terrestrial Ecosystem: (2) Focusing on the Herbs
Yooeun Chae, Lia Kim, Rongxue Cui, Jieun Lee, Youn-Joo An
Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers.2020; 42(12): 610. CrossRef - Application of calcium nebulization for mass exposure to an accidental hydrofluoric acid spill
Michael Sung Pil Choe, Mi Jin Lee, Kang Suk Seo, Sin Kam, Keon Yeop Kim, Dongwook Je, Seong Hun Kim, Woo Young Nho, Hong In Park, Sujeong Shin, Hyun Wook Ryoo
Burns.2020; 46(6): 1337. CrossRef - Deriving hazardous concentrations of phenol in soil ecosystems using a species sensitivity distribution approach
Yooeun Chae, Lia Kim, Dokyung Kim, Rongxue Cui, Jieun Lee, Youn-Joo An
Journal of Hazardous Materials.2020; 399: 123036. CrossRef - Development of Methodology for Vulnerability Assessment of Chemical Accident in Terrestrial Ecosystem:(1) Focusing on the Trees
Yooeun Chae, Rongxue Cui, Jieun Lee, Lia Kim, Youn-Joo An
Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers.2020; 42(5): 229. CrossRef - Psychological Risk Factors for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Workers After Toxic Chemical Spill in Gumi, South Korea
Ji Young Song, Kyoung-Sook Jeong, Kyeong-sook Choi, Min-gi Kim, Yeon-Soon Ahn
Workplace Health & Safety.2018; 66(8): 393. CrossRef - Effects of fluorine on crops, soil exoenzyme activities, and earthworms in terrestrial ecosystems
Yooeun Chae, Dokyung Kim, Youn-Joo An
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.2018; 151: 21. CrossRef - Ecological hazard assessment of methyl ethyl ketone using the species sensitivity distribution approach in a soil ecosystem
Yooeun Chae, Rongxue Cui, Jongmin Moon, Youn-Joo An
Journal of Hazardous Materials.2018; 360: 490. CrossRef - Combined acute inhalation of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid: a case report and literature review
Lucas Steverlynck, Nele Baert, Walter Buylaert, Peter De Paepe
Acta Clinica Belgica.2017; 72(4): 278. CrossRef - Innovative Monitoring of Atmospheric Gaseous Hydrogen Fluoride
Stefano Dugheri, Alessandro Bonari, Ilenia Pompilio, Alessandro Monti, Nicola Mucci, Giulio Arcangeli
International Journal of Analytical Chemistry.2016; 2016: 1. CrossRef - Effect of fluoride on the cell viability, cell organelle potential, and photosynthetic capacity of freshwater and soil algae
Yooeun Chae, Dokyung Kim, Youn-Joo An
Environmental Pollution.2016; 219: 359. CrossRef - Job Stress and Mental Health of Female Household Head Workers
Hyung Seon Kim, Min Kwon, Jinhwa Lee
Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing.2016; 25(4): 249. CrossRef - Physical therapy performance in the rehabilitation of survivors of the Kiss nightclub tragedy: an experience report
Isabella Martins de Albuquerque, Maria Elaine Trevisan, Adriane Schmidt Pasqualoto, Ana Lucia Cervi Prado, Marisa Bastos Pereira, Ana Fátima Viero Badaró
Fisioterapia em Movimento.2015; 28(4): 649. CrossRef
- Highly sensitive sensing of CO and HF gases by monolayer CuCl
- 54 View
- 0 Download
- 11 Web of Science
- 17 Crossref
Research Article
- Acute Symptoms after a Community Hydrogen Fluoride Spill
- Joo-Yong Na, Kuck-Hyun Woo, Seong-Yong Yoon, Seong-Yong Cho, In-Ung Song, Joo-An Kim, Jin-Seok Kim
- Ann Occup Environ Med 2013;25:17-17. Published online September 19, 2013
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2052-4374-25-17
-
Abstract
PDFPubReaderePub
Objectives This study was conducted to describe the demographic characteristics, and clinical signs and symptoms of patients who visited a general hospital because of the release of chemically hazardous hydrogen fluoride that occurred on September 27, 2012 in Gumi City, Korea.
Methods The medical records at 1 general hospital 9 km from the accident site were reviewed using a standardized survey format. There were 1,890 non-hospitalized and 12 hospitalized patients exposed to hydrogen fluoride between September 27 and October 13 2012.
Results Among the 12 hospitalized patients, 11 were discharged within 1 week and the other was hospitalized for 10 days. The chief complaints were respiratory symptoms such as hemoptysis and shortness of breath, gastrointestinal symptoms, neurologic symptoms, sore throat, and lip burn.
The number of non-hospitalized patients exhibited a bimodal distribution, peaking on the first and twelfth days after the accident. Their chief complaints were sore throat (24.1%), headache (19.1%), cough (13.1%), and eye irritation (9.2%); some patients were asymptomatic (6.2%). Patients who visited the hospital within 3 days (early patients) of the spill more often had shortness of breath (27.0%) and nausea (6.3%) as the chief complaints than patients who visited after 3 days (late patients) (3.5% and 2.6%, respectively). However, cough and rhinorrhea were more common in the late patients (14.0% and 3.3%, respectively) than in the early patients (5.0% and 0.0%, respectively). Patients who were closer to the accident site more often had shortness of breath and sputum as the chief complaints than patients who were farther away. The mean serum calcium concentration was 9.37 mg/dL (range: 8.4–11.0 mg/dL); none of the patients had a decreased serum calcium level. Among 48 pulmonary function test results, 4 showed decreased lung function. None of the patients had abnormal urine fluoride levels on the eighth day after exposure.
Conclusions Patients hospitalized due to chemical hazard release of hydrogen fluoride had acute respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurologic health problems. Non-hospitalized patients have acute symptoms mainly related to upper respiratory irritation.
-
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by- Effect of Origin on Chemical Extractability of Fluorine in Soil and Its Consequence on Human Health Risk
Changwon Chae, Soobean Park, Sang-Gyu Yoon, Jinsung An
KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering.2024;[Epub] CrossRef - Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots for Efficient Detection of Toxic Gas
Modhurima Bhuiya, Saurav Kumar, Aman Kumar, Neha Agnihotri
Journal of Electronic Materials.2024; 53(7): 3569. CrossRef - The Effect of Prior Mental Health on Persistent Physical Symptoms after Exposure to a Chemical Disaster
Young-Sun Min, Soo-Young Kim, Sun-Kyeong Choi, Yeon-Soon Ahn
Healthcare.2023; 11(7): 1004. CrossRef - Froth-Flotation Separation as an Alternative for the Treatment of Soil Enriched with Fluorine Derived from Mica
Jeonghwan Cho, Moon Young Jung, Hwan Lee, Jinsung An
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(3): 1775. CrossRef - An outbreak of neurologic symptoms among patients exposed to an unknown stench in a high school near an industrial complex: an epidemiological investigation
Kiook Baek, Seongmin Jo, Chulyong Park, Joon Sakong
Epidemiology and Health.2022; 44: e2022105. CrossRef - Lessons Learned from Major Environmental Health Disasters in South Korea and the Role of Environmental Health Experts
Jong-Ju Ahn
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences.2022; 48(1): 9. CrossRef - Comparative Analysis of Hydrogen Fluoride-Exposed Patients Based on Major Burn Criteria After the 2012 Gumi City Chemical Leak Disaster
Heejun Shin, Se Kwang Oh, Han You Lee, Heajin Chung, Seong Yong Yoon, Sung Yong Choi
Journal of Burn Care & Research.2022; 43(4): 834. CrossRef - Lessons learned from reviewing a hospital’s disaster response to the hydrofluoric acid leak in Gumi city in 2012
Heejun Shin, Se Kwang Oh, Han You Lee, Heajin Chung, Seong Yong Yoon, Sung Yong Choi, Jae Hyuk Kim
BMC Emergency Medicine.2021;[Epub] CrossRef - Chemical pneumonitis by prolonged hydrogen fluoride inhalation
Young Jin Lee, In Beom Jeong
Respiratory Medicine Case Reports.2021; 32: 101338. CrossRef - Application of calcium nebulization for mass exposure to an accidental hydrofluoric acid spill
Michael Sung Pil Choe, Mi Jin Lee, Kang Suk Seo, Sin Kam, Keon Yeop Kim, Dongwook Je, Seong Hun Kim, Woo Young Nho, Hong In Park, Sujeong Shin, Hyun Wook Ryoo
Burns.2020; 46(6): 1337. CrossRef - De novo synthesis and particle size control of iron metal organic framework for diclofenac drug delivery
Pamela Berilyn So, Hsin-Tsung Chen, Chia-Her Lin
Microporous and Mesoporous Materials.2020; 309: 110495. CrossRef - Emergency Evacuation Plan for Hazardous Chemicals Leakage Accidents Using GIS-based Risk Analysis Techniques in South Korea
Byungtae Yoo, Sang D. Choi
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2019; 16(11): 1948. CrossRef - SF4 as the Fluorination Reactant for Al2O3 and VO2 Thermal Atomic Layer Etching
Jonas C. Gertsch, Austin M. Cano, Victor M. Bright, Steven M. George
Chemistry of Materials.2019; 31(10): 3624. CrossRef - Public health risk management case concerning the city of Isfahan according to a hypothetical release of HF from a chemical plant
Mansour R. Azari, Asghar Sadighzadeh, Majid Bayatian
Environmental Science and Pollution Research.2018; 25(25): 24704. CrossRef - Psychological Risk Factors for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Workers After Toxic Chemical Spill in Gumi, South Korea
Ji Young Song, Kyoung-Sook Jeong, Kyeong-sook Choi, Min-gi Kim, Yeon-Soon Ahn
Workplace Health & Safety.2018; 66(8): 393. CrossRef - Combined acute inhalation of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid: a case report and literature review
Lucas Steverlynck, Nele Baert, Walter Buylaert, Peter De Paepe
Acta Clinica Belgica.2017; 72(4): 278. CrossRef - Soil microbial community responses to acid exposure and neutralization treatment
Doyun Shin, Yunho Lee, Jeonghyun Park, Hee Sun Moon, Sung Pil Hyun
Journal of Environmental Management.2017; 204: 383. CrossRef - Short-term health effects in the general population following a major train accident with acrylonitrile in Belgium
K. Simons, T. De Smedt, C. Stove, P. De Paepe, M. Bader, B. Nemery, C. Vleminckx, K. De Cremer, I. Van Overmeire, S. Fierens, B. Mertens, T. Göen, T. Schettgen, H. Van Oyen, J. Van Loco, A. Van Nieuwenhuyse
Environmental Research.2016; 148: 256. CrossRef - How Do I Diagnose and Treat Workers With Injuries From Hydrofluoric Acid?
Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine.2016; 58(7): e275. CrossRef - Physical therapy performance in the rehabilitation of survivors of the Kiss nightclub tragedy: an experience report
Isabella Martins de Albuquerque, Maria Elaine Trevisan, Adriane Schmidt Pasqualoto, Ana Lucia Cervi Prado, Marisa Bastos Pereira, Ana Fátima Viero Badaró
Fisioterapia em Movimento.2015; 28(4): 649. CrossRef - Development of Mobile Vortex Wet Scrubber and Evaluation of Gas Removal Efficiency
Ji Hyun Kwak, Seung-Ryul Hwang, Yeon-Hee Lee, Jae-Young Kim, Ki Bong Song, Kyun Kim, Jae Eun Kang, Sang Jae Lee, Junho Jeon, Jin Hwan Lee
Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture.2015; 34(2): 134. CrossRef - Performance Evaluation of Hazardous Substances using Measurement Vehicle of Field Mode through Emergency Response of Chemical Incidents
Yeon-Hee Lee, Seung-Ryul Hwang, Jae-Young Kim, Kyun Kim, Ji Hyun Kwak, Min Sun Kim, Joong Don Park, Junho Jeon, Ki Joon Kim, Jin Hwan Lee
Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture.2015; 34(4): 294. CrossRef - Fluorine distribution in soil in the vicinity of an accidental spillage of hydrofluoric acid in Korea
Jinsung An, Hyun A Lee, Junseok Lee, Hye-On Yoon
Chemosphere.2015; 119: 577. CrossRef - Acute health effects of accidental chlorine gas exposure
Joo-An Kim, Seong-Yong Yoon, Seong-Yong Cho, Jin-Hyun Yu, Hwa-Sung Kim, Gune-Il Lim, Jin-Seok Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2014;[Epub] CrossRef - Acute Symptoms in Firefighters who Participated in Collection Work after the Community Hydrogen Fluoride Spill Accident
Seong-Yong Cho, Kuck-Hyun Woo, Jin-Seok Kim, Seong-Yong Yoon, Joo-Yong Na, Jin-Hyun Yu, Yong-Bae Kim
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2013; 25(1): 36. CrossRef
- Effect of Origin on Chemical Extractability of Fluorine in Soil and Its Consequence on Human Health Risk
- 67 View
- 0 Download
- 21 Web of Science
- 25 Crossref
First
Prev
