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Impressum
A Review on Previn® . A solution for first aid emergency decontamination of eye chemical splashes
1Langefeld S., 2Schrage N. F.
1Dept. of Ophthalmology Brüderkrankenhaus Trier, Germany, 2Dept. of Ophthalmology, RWTH Aachen, Germany
Purpose: Lavage of eye chemical splashes is an obvious emergency
first aid measure and has the goals of removal of residual irritant or
corrosive chemicals and active neutralization of the involved substance.
Previn® is an active eye/skin decontamination solution (as opposed
to passive lavage with water or normal saline). It is an hypertonic, polyvalent,
amphoteric compound. Its chemical bond energy for acids, bases, solvents,
and oxidizing and reducing substances is greater than that of tissue receptors.
Its hypertonicity impedes chemical tissue penetration by osmotic action.
Previn® chemical reactions are not exothermic, thus not releasing
heat which could further damage tissues exposed to chemicals. Three studies
and four case reports are described here.
Materials and methods: The first study (I) was of the safety of
Previn® ocular lavage in 10 healthy human volunteer subjects examined
by slit lamp and confocal microscopy. An experimental study (II) in rabbits
compared the efficacy of rinsing with Previn®versus other rinsing
solutions after a 1N sodium hydroxide exposure for 30 seconds by means
of pH measurements. Four cases of workers occupationally exposed to 96%
sulfuric acid, 100% nitric acid, or 50% sodium hydroxide and successfully
decontaminated with Previn® are reported (III). In additional workplace
chemical exposure studies (IV), use of Previn® by two German industrial
firms for lavage of chemical splashes was evaluated for occurrence of
sequelae, need for further treatment other than initial lavage, and lost
work time.
Resuluts: (I) No harmful effect of Previn® was observed after
ocular lavage in healthy human volunteer subjects. (II) Previn efficaciously
neutralized 1N NaOH as compared to normal saline solution or buffered
phosphate solution in rabbit eyes. (III) Four workers with skin exposure
to acidic or basic corrosive chemicals were successfully decontaminated
with Previn®. (IV) In one German industrial firm, 42 workers sustained
chemical splashes with sodium hydroxide (NaOH ; 40 g/l to 600g/l ; pH=14)
between 1991 and 1993. There was a significant difference (p<0.05)
between Previn® lavage and other decontamination solutions including
water for increased efficacy as determined by decreased lost work time
and no requirement for medical treatment other than initial decontamination.
Workers in a second German industrial firm sustained 24 acid or base splashes
between 1994 and 1998. Following initial Previn® decontamination,
no sequelae occurred, 3 workers each had 1 lost work day, and no further
medical treatment other than initial decontamination was required.
Conclusion: Previn® is an efficacious decontamination solution
for ocular chemical splashes. It effectively removes and actively neutralizes
irritant or corrosive chemicals.