Incidence, casualties and risk characteristics of civilian explosion blast injury in China: 2000\u20142017 data from the state Administration of Work Safety

Xu Wang,Jian-Xin Jiang,Ce Yang,Juan Du,Zheng-Guo Wang,Zhuo Zhuang

doi:10.1186/s40779-020-00257-5

Abstract

BackgroundCivilian explosion blast injury is more frequent in developing countries, including China. However, the incidence, casualties, and characteristics of such incidents in China are unknown.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of the State Administration of Work Safety database. Incidents during a period from January 1, 2000 to April 30, 2017 were included in the analysis. The explosions were classified based on the number of deaths into extraordinarily major, major, serious and ordinary type. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the incidence and characteristics of the explosions. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the potential correlations among various variables.ResultsData base search identified a total of 2098 explosions from 2000 to 2017, with 29,579 casualties: 15,788 deaths (53.4%), 12,637 injured (42.7%) and 1154 missing (3.9%). Majority of the explosions were serious type (65.4%). The number of deaths (39.5%) was also highest with the serious type (P = 0.006). The highest incidence was observed in the fourth quarter of the year (October to December), and at 9:00–11:00 am and 4:00–6:00 pm of the day. The explosions were most frequent in coal-producing provinces (Guizhou and Shanxi Province). Coal mine gas explosions resulted majority of the deaths (9620, 60.9%). The number of explosion accidents closely correlated with economic output (regional economy and national GDP growth rate) (r = − 0.372, P = 0.040; r = 0.629, P = 0.028).ConclusionsThe incidence and civilian casualties due to explosions remain unacceptabe in developing China. Measures that mitigate the risk factors are of urgently required.

Highlights

Civilian explosion blast injury is more frequent in developing countries, including China
In the present study aims, we conducted a retrospective analysis of the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) database, and systematically examined the profiles of civilian explosive blast injuries after 2000
Data collection The State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) is a nation-wide database of civilian casualties caused by explosions in China

Summary

Introduction

Civilian explosion blast injury is more frequent in developing countries, including China. A major obstacle in designing and implementing effective measures to curb such incidents and emergency responses is the lack of basic information, including the incidence, the type, and risk factors [5, 6]. Blast injuries are generally categorized as primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary types [7, 8]. Civilian explosive blasts often occur in closed or semi-closed spaces. Secondary blast injuries are caused by flying debris [15, 16]. Quaternary blast injuries mainly include burns and inhalational injury, and are often seen in explosions caused by chemical compounds or petroleum [2, 3, 18]. In compared to soldiers in combat, civilians often lack training and personal protective equipment, and are prone to more severe injuries [19,20,21]

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Discussion

Conclusion