Investigation on an acute dimethyl sulfate poisoning accident caused by improper disposal of discarded chemical plastic barrels
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Abstract
We invesitgated an acute poisoning accident caused by improper disposal of discarded chemical plastic barrels in a private junk yard through asking about patients' occupational history, medical history, and medical treatment process, reviewing medical records, and conducting a field investigation on occupational hazards at the reported scene. We analyzed the potential causes of the accident, aiming to avoid similar poisoning accidents in the future. The concentration of dimethyl sulfate (DMS) in the junk yard was 11.1 mg/m3. Four patients were diagnosed as moderate acute DMS poisoning (n=2), mild acute DMS poisoning (n=1), and occupational dimethyl sulfate irratative reaction (n=1), respectively. The three poisoning patients were discharged from hospital after two weeks of anti-inflammatory and symptomatic treatment, and the other one was discharged after symptomatic treatment and 48 h of clinic observation. The main cause of the poisoning accident is the lack of effective protective measures during the disposal of discarded chemical plastic barrels.
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