I O Fadeyibi1, M C Izegbu, A S Benebo. 1. Departments of Surgery, Burns and Plastic Unit and Morbid Anatomy, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the danger of wrong disposal of used dry-cell batteries in Lagos, Nigeria. METHOD: Information was extracted from the case notes of a patient who died following the explosion of a 1.5 volt dry-cell battery. No post-mortem was performed because the death certificate was inadvertently issued and the body was buried hurriedly according to Islamic rites. RESULTS: A 53% burn involving the face, upper arm, trunk, and thigh was found on examination, in addition to inhalation injuries. CONCLUSION: Dry-cell batteries are highly explosive when heated. There is a need to educate the populace about their explosive nature and to keep batteries away from children.
OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the danger of wrong disposal of used dry-cell batteries in Lagos, Nigeria. METHOD: Information was extracted from the case notes of a patient who died following the explosion of a 1.5 volt dry-cell battery. No post-mortem was performed because the death certificate was inadvertently issued and the body was buried hurriedly according to Islamic rites. RESULTS: A 53% burn involving the face, upper arm, trunk, and thigh was found on examination, in addition to inhalation injuries. CONCLUSION: Dry-cell batteries are highly explosive when heated. There is a need to educate the populace about their explosive nature and to keep batteries away from children.