DEATHS FROM GAS EXPLOSION IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA
Abstract
Background: The Gas explosion is usually associated with ignition of accidentally released flammable gas which mixes with air once the ignition limit is reached. The injury from the gas explosion can result from blast or burns. The burns injuries are usually the consequence of the associated flames.
Aim: To determine the cause of death of four workers involved in a gas explosion while at work in a government organization in southern Nigeria.
Methodology: This is a study of the death of four workers in a government organization in southern Nigeria in which there was a sudden explosion of a gas cylinder involving people on duty. A complete autopsy was done on all the victims at the Department of Pathology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross Rivers State, Nigeria. Data for all causes of death following the explosion was analyzed using simple inferential statistics.
Results: Four victims were involved in the incident. They were workers of the organization. All were male ranging from 36 to 55years of age. All the victims suffered 80% and above of thirddegree burns using Wallace rule, 100% of the victims had severe pulmonary congestion/edema, 50% of the victims had soft tissue injury and 25% of the victims had a head injury. The cause of death in all the cases is adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following inhalational (gas) injury.
Conclusion: The poor safety measures in government facilities in our environment raises a lot of concern in situations like this. The implementation of proper safety measures in government organizations in this environment would definitely go a long way in safeguarding the life of the workers in such organizations.
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