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Abstract
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Are the mechanisms for preventing clothing-related civilian burn casualties adequate?
Burns, by definition, are traumatic injuries. Burn patients must be assessed initially with a primary survey. In addition to thorough evaluation of the airway, breathing, and circulation, the evaluation must include removal of clothing to allow a direct view of the entirety of the patient. Such exposure is necessary not only to estimate burn size, but also to allow the disrobed items to be assessed and accounted for in determining the pathology and severity of thermal injury.
In the 1940s, an epidemic of pediatric burns was associated with cowboy outfits modeled after the attire worn by the popular entertainer, entrepreneur, and World War II aviator Gene Autry, also known as "The Singing Cowboy." Between 1945 and 1953, at least 100 lawsuits were filed against those individuals involved in the manufacture and sale of these suits. In 1953, The Flammable Fabrics Act was passed to regulate the manufacture and sale of highly flammable clothing and apparel. The act was amended in 1967 to include the fabric used to produce interior furnishings such as drapes, bedding, and floor coverings.
Clothing-related burn injuries involve three main factors: the fabric, wearer behavior, and the heat source. Ease of ignition, flammability, and potential for thermal injury obviously depend on the fiber type. Cotton and rayon generally possess the fastest burning characteristics. Rayon is classified as a semi-synthetic fiber, as it is derived from wood pulp. Synthetic fibers vary in their burning properties, but the misconception that synthetics are more flammable than natural fibers is false. In fact, cotton/polyester blends are more flammable than pure polyester fabrics. Garments made of animal hair, pure silk, and wool pose the least danger....
Available:
http://bulletin.facs.org/2015/08/a-hot-mess-clothing-related-burn-injuries/
Language: en |