Diphoterine for emergent decontamination of skin/eye chemical splashes: 24 cases

Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2006;25(4):249-58. doi: 10.1080/15569520601013160.

Abstract

Chemical skin/eye splashes can cause burns. Standard references recommend decontamination with water. Diphoterine, a polyvalent, hypertonic, amphoteric, chelating solution is an alternative. Occupational medical records of 24 workers in a German metallurgy firm from 1994 to 1998 were reviewed. There were 11 acid eye splashes, 8 acid skin splashes, 4 base eye splashes, and 1 base skin splash. Following Diphoterine decontamination, no burns developed and there were no requirements for burn treatment or sequelae. Three workers had 1 lost workday each. Diphoterine decontamination successfully prevented skin/eye burns in this group of metallurgy workers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Occupational*
  • Adult
  • Burns, Chemical / etiology
  • Burns, Chemical / therapy*
  • Decontamination / methods*
  • Eye Burns / chemically induced*
  • Eye Burns / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ophthalmic Solutions / therapeutic use*
  • Organic Chemicals / therapeutic use
  • Skin / drug effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Organic Chemicals
  • diphoterine