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Foundation Briefings
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"Firefighters Want
Novelty Lighters Banned in Pittsburgh"
"Research Reports on
Facial Plastic Surgery From E.N. Gangemi and Colleagues Provide New
Insights"
"Fire-Fighting Bills
Draw Praise"
"Three Firemen Receive
Burn Injuries in Devastating Fire"
"Childhood
Injuries"
"Bill Passes Requiring
Safer-Burning Cigarettes"
"A Method for
Assessing the Potential for a Dermal Burn Hazard From Malfunctioning
Consumer Electronic Devices"
"Research Findings
From A.C. Paul et al Update Understanding of Burn Care"
"Follow Safety Tips to
Prevent Home Fires"
"Burn Victim Has
'Fourth Degree' Burns"
"Vanderbilt to Test
Burn Treatments for Soldiers"
"Risk of Nuclear
Attack on Rise"
"New Inflammation
Research Has Been Reported by Scientists at University of California,
Medical Department"
"Firm Gets Warning
Letter After Device Burns Users"
"Long Hair, Smoking,
and Deep Facial Burns"
"Firefighters
Want Novelty Lighters Banned in Pittsburgh"
WTAE-TV 4 (PA) (05/05/08)
Pittsburgh's
Department of Public Safety wants to stop novelty lighters, many of which
look like toys, from being sold. Fire investigators said children playing
with the lighters, believing they are toys, could accidentally start fires.
Some states have already placed a ban on the lighters in large cities,
while others have barred their use statewide.
"Research Reports on Facial Plastic Surgery From
E.N. Gangemi and Colleagues Provide New Insights"
Disease Prevention Week (05/06/08) P. 337
Scientists
in Italy performed a study to detail the clinical aspects of post-burn
scars and figure out the independent risk factors related to those
patients. A retrospective examination was performed on the clinical records
of 703 individuals treated at an outpatient clinic between January 1994 and
May 15, 2006. Pathologic scarring was determined in 540 patients, while 310
had hypertrophic scars, 34 had contractures, and 196 had
hypertrophic-contracted scars. The hypertrophic induction was determined at
a median of 23 days following reepithelialization and lasted for 15 months.
A nomogram founded on the multivariate regression structure revealed that
female sex, young age, burn locations on the neck and/or upper limbs,
several surgical procedures, and meshed skin grafts were separate risk
factors for post-burn pathologic scarring, according to researchers. The
researchers noted that the identification of the main risk factors for
post-burn pathologic scarring would be a worthwhile tool in preliminary
risk stratification and would assist in predicting outcomes adjusted for
patient risks. The study was published in the Archives of Facial Plastic
Surgery.
"Fire-Fighting Bills Draw Praise"
Honolulu Advertiser (HI) (05/03/08) P. 1B
Hawaii
state lawmakers have approved legislation requiring all cigarettes sold in
Hawaii to be fire-safe. The measure, which would go into effect by 2009,
was introduced by state Rep. Ryan Yamane (D). "Cigarettes are the
leading cause of home fatalities in the U.S., killing between 700 to 900
people, smokers and non-smokers alike, per year. Public education is
critical, but fire-safe cigarettes will help to avoid the loss of homes,
families and pets through fire," Yamane said. Hawaii would join 27
other states that have adopted similar requirements for fire-safe
cigarettes. The Legislature's action has drawn the praise of the Hawaii
Firefighters Association and the National Fire Protection Association.
"Three Firemen Receive Burn Injuries in
Devastating Fire"
Hindu (05/01/08)
Three
fire fighters in Chandigarh, India, were seriously injured while fighting a
fire that broke out in a homeopathic store on May 1. Ishwar Dass, Amarjeet
Singh, and Shushil Kumar Sharma survived severe burns on their arms caused
by the sudden explosion of an LPG cylinder in the store. Eight fire
fighters were eventually able to extinguish the fire over the course of two
hours. No one was killed, but the cause of the fire and the total damages
have not been determined.
"Childhood Injuries"
CQ Congressional Testimony (05/01/08) Korn, Alan
Though
the death rate from burns among children under the age of 14 dropped 45
percent between 1987 and 2005, thousands of preventable burn deaths still
occur each year, according to a recent report by the child safety advocacy
group Safe Kids USA. Overall, unintentional death is still the main cause
of death among children, and fire and burn injuries rank fifth among all
causes of unintentional death. Of the 467 burn deaths among children 14 and
under in 2005, fire and flames accounted for 460. The majority of burns
occurred when children came into contact with hot foods or liquids and were
scalded; hot tap water accounted for 25 percent of all scald burns in
children. The best way to prevent burns is to keep flammable materials such
as lighters and matches, as well as hot foods, out of reach of children.
Nearly half of all fire deaths in one- and two-family units and 15 percent
of all apartment fire deaths might have been prevented had smoke alarms
been in use, the report states.
"Bill Passes Requiring Safer-Burning
Cigarettes"
Palm Beach Post (FL) (04/28/08) P. 4A; Robinson, Dwayne
In
Florida, both the state House and Senate have approved legislation that
would allow only fire-safe cigarettes to be sold in the state by 2010. The
bill, which is being considered by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, includes
implementing new cigarette standards for tobacco firms. To date, nearly two
dozen states and Canada have implemented standards involving fire-safe
cigarettes. "The fact of the matter is it [smoking] is a leading cause
of house fires in the United States, and it's a preventable tragedy,"
says state Sen. Lee Constantine (R), who sponsored the bill. He estimates
that if implemented, the bill would prevent about 75 percent of all
cigarette fires. Tobacco wholesalers and retailers that refuse to sell
fire-safe cigarettes would pay steep monthly fines.
"A Method for Assessing the Potential for a
Dermal Burn Hazard From Malfunctioning Consumer Electronic Devices"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (04/01/2008) Vol. 29, No. 2, P. 338;
Mikolajczak, Celina J.; Taylor, Paul M.
The
ASTM C1055-03 Standard can be used to assess whether one could get a
contact burn injury from a portable consumer electronic device. A burn
could occur if a fault were to arise in the electronic device.
"Research Findings From A.C. Paul et al Update
Understanding of Burn Care"
Surgery Litigation & Law Weekly (04/25/08) P. 258
Rural
regions of Bangladesh are sorely in need of specialized burn treatment
facilities and surgeons trained in simple plastic surgery procedures for
the correction of postburn contractures, concludes a recent study.
Researchers examined a six-year program in Faridpur, Bangladesh, aimed at
surgical correction of secondary flexion contractures, which impede a
patient’s daily activities and negatively affect social functioning.
Performing simple skin flap transpositions produces an enormous
psycho-social as well as functional impact, but surgeons and
anesthesiologists face great challenges providing proper care with the
limited burn-care infrastructure in poor and rural areas.
"Follow Safety Tips to Prevent Home Fires"
Marshfield News Herald (WI) (04/22/08) P. 3A; Kelnhofer, Pattie
The
American Red Cross has put together a list of fire prevention tips. To
safeguard homes from fires, the Red Cross recommends that people install
fire alarms in all sleeping areas and on every level of their homes. For
optimum coverage, homeowners should connect their various alarms so they
will all sound in the event of an emergency. Residents should also avoid
leaving kitchens or other cooking areas unattended when preparing food,
particularly when cooking over a flame. Cigarettes are another common cause
of household fires. In recognition of this, the Red Cross advises smokers
to consider fire-safe cigarettes, and avoid smoking in bed. Matches,
lighters, and other items used to ignite cigarettes should be kept out of
reach of children. In addition, homeowners should make sure their home
heating sources are working and clean of dust, lint, and other debris, and
be sure that all portable and fixed heaters have been certified by an
independent testing laboratory. Any materials in open spaces that are
combustible should be kept away from heat sources. Most important, parents
should teach children what to do in case of a fire. Adults should explain
how to prevent a fire; why fire safety is important; and illustrate safe
behaviors when using fire, lighters, and other heat sources. Children
should know all escape routes and be included in the planning and
practicing of home drills.
"Burn Victim Has 'Fourth Degree' Burns"
Newsday (Trinidad & Tobago) (04/19/08) Matroo, Carol
A woman
who was severely burned when the ambulance that carried her burst into
flames in Trinidad and Tobago has survived her first major surgery at the
Jackson Memorial Burn Center in Miami, where she was flown after the
accident. Doctors said she has fourth-degree burns to her back and is “not
out of the woods yet,” according to her daughter. Samdaye Hanooman, her
daughter Sharda, and her sister Savitiri Pandeosingh were all inside the
ambulance, which was taking Sharda to a local hospital for treatments for
Hodgkin’s disease. St. Clair Medical Centre in Trinidad and Tobago said it
was not equipped to treat the severity of their burns, and the three were
flown to Miami for treatment. Hanooman is being kept in a separate area of
the intensive care unit at Jackson where the most severe burn cases are
treated. Pandeosingh had less severe burns and underwent surgery earlier in
the week.
"Vanderbilt to Test Burn Treatments for
Soldiers"
Associated Press (04/18/08)
Vanderbilt
University's Burn Center has been chosen to hold trials on new regenerative
treatments for burn wounds. As one of three clinics selected by the Armed
Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine to test various treatments,
Vanderbilt will be testing treatments, including stem cells, to replace or
restore damaged organs or tissues. The university's burn center works
closely with the Army on burn research involving returning soldiers from
Afghanistan and Iraq, but will be using the new treatments on civilian burn
patients for the trial. Dr. Jeffrey Guy, the center's director, welcomes
the opportunity to explore new treatments. "The way we manage the burn
wound now is very barbaric--we are robbing Peter to pay Paul," Guy
says. "We're going to be able to offer our patients the newest in burn
treatment."
"Risk of Nuclear Attack on Rise"
Washington Post (04/16/08) P. B4; Sheridan, Mary Beth
The
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs held a hearing
April 16 to analyze the consequences of a nuclear attack on Washington,
D.C. Almost every building within a half-mile radius would be destroyed and
a lethal radioactive plume would drift over the city, most likely blown
east by the wind. However, most city residents would survive the attack and
the government can take steps in advance to save more people from a
potential attack. One major concern is the stress such an attack would put
on the local medical system. An expert estimated that 95 percent of burn
survivors would be unable to receive care because of a lack of specialized
burn facilities.
"New Inflammation Research Has Been Reported by
Scientists at University of California, Medical Department"
Pharma Law Weekly (04/15/08) P. 1686
A
recent study of the effect of toll-like receptors (TLR) on microvascular
dysfunction in a burn injury found that TLR-4 contributes to microvascular
leakage and leukocyte adhesion. Researchers measured transvascular flux of
fluorescein isothiocyanate-albumin across mesenteric venules as an
indicator of microvascular permeability, and used cultured microvascular
endothelial cell models to evaluate the endothelial-specific mechanisms
involved in TLR-4-mediated barrier dysfunction. They concluded that
"Systemic and microvascular inflammation plays a key role in the
development of multiple organ failure after infection, sepsis, and
traumatic injury."
"Firm Gets Warning Letter After Device Burns
Users"
Devices & Diagnostics Letter (04/14/08) Vol. 35, No. 15, Astor, April
Device
firm Cameron-Miller received a warning letter for failing to follow medical
device reporting (MDR) requirements after one of its products burned users.
According to the warning letter, a complaint submitted in April 2007 did
not provide information about the severity of the patients' burns and
whether they required medical treatment. Cameron-Miller responded to the
warning letter with a promise to hold additional training sessions to
ensure that all MDR requirements are followed and submitted in a timely
fashion. The Food and Drug Administration announced that the company violated
several other quality system regulations, including a failure to meet
servicing requirements and inadequately documenting its justification for
using a nonconforming product. The company blamed its citations on a
complicated paperwork procedure that resulted in documents being misfiled.
Cameron-Miller manufactures electro-surgical, cutting, and coagulation
tools.
"Long Hair, Smoking, and Deep Facial Burns"
Journal of Burn Care & Research (04/01/2008) Vol. 29, No. 2, P. 395;
Koljonen, Virve
Longhaired cigarette smokers who use lighters risk
suffering from deep facial burns. In 2006, the Helsinki Burn Center treated
eight patients with severe facial burns caused by cigarette lighters; seven
of them were women. The mean burned area was 3.5 percent TBSA.
The
inclusion of articles in the IAFF Burn Foundation Briefing does not imply
the IAFF or IAFF Burn Foundation's endorsement of their content nor any
particular organizations or programs highlighted in these articles.
Articles are intended to increase awareness of media coverage of topics
relevant to our community and are provided for informational purposes only.
© Copyright 2008 INFORMATION, INC.
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