Citation

Bozkurt M, Kulahci Y, Zor F, Kapi E. J. Burn Care Res. 2008; 29(6): 897-901.

Affiliation

Dept of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey; Dept of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Military Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey; Dept of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gulhane Military Medical Acad, Ankara, Turkey

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, American Burn Association, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/BCR.0b013e31818b9e29

PMID

18849851

Abstract

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is used as a type of fuel, is stored as a liquid under high pressure in tanks. Immediate and sudden explosion of these tanks can release a large amount of gas and energy into the environment and can result in serious burns. In this study, the cases of 18 patients injured due to LPG burns in five incidents were examined, along with their epidemiologic features. The authors also investigated the causes of the LPG tank explosions. Inhalation injury was present in 11 cases with varying degrees of severity, and 7 patients subsequently required mechanical ventilation. The explosions resulted from weakening of the tank wall (n = 2), crash impact (n = 2), and gas leakage from the tank (n = 1). LPG-powered cars are becoming more popular because of their lower operational costs. However, LPG tanks can be hazardous in the event of a tank explosion. Burns caused by explosions of the LPG tanks in cars have significant mortality and morbidity. This danger must be taken into account and public awareness must be increased.

Language: en