Toxic chemical explosion leaves worker scarred for life
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Xeragel® (XSO-797) - $16.30Abacus Chemical Company in the UK has been indicted following an explosion that drenched a worker in toxic fluid, leaving him with severe burn scars on his arms and chest, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The company was prosecuted following a joint investigation by HSE and the Environment Agency, which found that it had mixed sodium cyanide pellets with hydrogen peroxide in order to make them less toxic and thus avoid having to pay a hazardous disposal fee. Abacus, which pleaded guilty, was fined a substantial sum, in addition to having to pay prosecution costs.
The 58-year-old victim was rushed to the hospital, where he received skin grafts on his chest and arms. The incident has left him with permanent scars and an inability to work.
"A man has suffered permanent scarring and others have been put at risk of breathing in toxic fumes, because Abacus failed to take the appropriate measures for handling chemicals," said investigator Jo-Anne Michael, quoted by the source.
The Burn Survivor Resource Center reports that the majority of chemical burns that result in lost work days take place at chemical manufacturing companies.
Those who have sustained burn scars from such incidents may be able to use silicone ointment to reduce the appearance of these marks.
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