Research Paper: Prevalence and Epidemiological Profile of Gasoline-Related Burn Injuries in Tehran: A Retrospective Descriptive Study

Mostafa Dahmardehei, Majid Khadem Rezaiyan, Farhang Safarnejad, Ali Ahmadabadi

Abstract


Gasoline, a highly volatile, flammable liquid, is frequently misused as a fire accelerant, leading to severe burn injuries, particularly in young men. These injuries are often associated with high mortality, extensive total body surface area (TBSA) involvement, and inhalation injuries. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of burn injuries resulting from the misuse of gasoline in Tehran and to explore the contributing factors associated with these incidents.This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 at Motahari Hospital in Tehran, Iran. All burns related to flammable and combustible liquids were examined. Demographic data and burn-related information were extracted. Data were analyzed using descriptive measures in SPSS software (version 28). Out of 1,984 burn cases, 84 (10.6%) were attributed to the misuse of flammable liquids, predominantly gasoline (77.4%). Most of the victims of flammable liquid burns were men (96.4%) with an average age of 31.6 years. The average TBSA burned was 25.5%, and the mean hospital stay was 10.8 days. Inhalation injuries occurred in 40.5% of cases, and the mortality rate was 11.9%. A significant proportion of injuries occurred at workplaces (56%), with construction workers, auto mechanics, and painters being the most affected. Seasonal trends showed increased incidents during spring and summer, particularly during national and religious festivals, such as Chaharshanbeh Suri. Gasoline-related burns present a significant public health burden, with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Targeted interventions, including public education on the dangers of gasoline misuse and enhanced safety regulations, are essential to mitigate the impact of these injuries.

Keywords


Burns, Flammable liquid, Fire accelerant, Gasoline, Occupational health

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