Zinc burns: a rare burn injury

A patient was presented with significant burns resulting from a workplace a ccident in a zinc production unit. This occurred as a result of the spontan eous combustion of zinc bleed under high pressure. The patient sustained bu rns to the face, body, and hands and suffered significant injury to the lef t cornea. Computed imaging revealed solid particles in the ethmoid sinus an d also in the right nasal fossa, dissecting the right lachrymal duct. Photo graphic documentation is presented. This injury was potentially preventable and resulted from poor observance of safety procedures. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.