Transcutaneous metal absorption following chemical burn injury.

A 33-year-old metal refinery worker sustained a 40 per cent TBSA burn injury from a mixture containing acids and salts of nickel and cobalt. High levels of both nickel and cobalt were detected in both serum and urine, necessitating treatment with EDTA, a chelating agent. No detrimental effects of either nickel or cobalt have so far been detected, though the patient is being followed in the long term.