A Ten-Year Retrospective Analysis of Cement Burns in a Tertiary Burns Center

Abstract

Cement is extensively used both in the professional construction and "do-it-yourself" industries. Despite a number of small published series during the past 80 years highlighting its potential for harm, little seems to have been done to make consumers aware of its risks of causing serious burn injuries. The authors present 10 years of a tertiary adult burn center's experience with these burns, and highlight the significance of these burns on the active, working sector of society. Both professionals and part-time enthusiasts are affected, with burns of significant depth and subsequent impairment of normal functioning. The authors propose a better education system to highlight the risks and, in time, reduce the incidence of cement burns.

Ingestion of Portland Cement

“…Within 2 min of ingestion, the pH of wet cement is 11 to 13, which makes it one million times more alkaline than water (10). In addition, wet cement releases a large amount of heat (11). Cement burns have an insidious onset, a progressive nature, and severely damage tissues (2,12).…”

Liquid concrete as a gastrointestinal tract foreign body

“…Alkaline substances dissolve proteins and collagen, dehydrate cells, and saponify fats, causing tissue damage. 7 Gastric acid can neutralise alkaline substances and reduce this damage. However, gastric acid can also cause further damage to the already damaged gastric mucosa.…”