& Dohme and Institute Pasteur Pro¬ duction do not contain transmissible LAV/HTLV-III and confirm that the fear of contracting AIDS from these vaccines is indefensible.Sacks et al' also reported that hepa¬ titis B immune globulin may be more likely to contain a transmissible agent than is the vaccine. This state¬ ment should not create any further fear of contracting AIDS from hepa¬ titis B immune globulin and deter its use, since Spire et al" have shown that LAV/HTLV-III is easily inactivated by alcohol. 1. Sacks HS, Rose DN, Chalmers TC: Should the risk of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome deter hepatitis B vaccination? A decision analysis. JAMA 1984;252:3375\x=req-\ 3377. 2. Stevens CE: No increased incidence of AIDS in recipients of hepatitis B vaccine. N Engl J Med 1983; 308:1163-1164. 3. Papaevangelou G, Kallinikos G, Roumeliotou A, et al: Risk of AIDS in recipients of hepatitis B vaccine. N Engl J Med 1984;312:376-377. 4. Spire B, Barr\l=e'\-SinoussiF, Montagnier L, et al: Inactivation of lymphadenopathy associated virus by chemical disinfectants. Lancet 1984;2:899-901. Ethylene Dibromide Poisoning To the Editor.\p=m-\Ihave recently read the fine article by Letz et al1 on two fatalities occurring as the result of occupational exposure to the fumigant ethylene dibromide. Not only is the article interesting, it is accurate, which I know since our Poison Control Center was immediately contacted after the exposure occurred.During the initial conversation with the base hospital handling the call, it was quite evident there was considerable confusion at the scene of the poisoning regarding the material to which the men were exposed and the initial approach to their management.Assuming the worst possible situation, information was provided by our Poison Control Center concerning the toxic effects and management of ethylene dibromide exposure. Recognizing (as clearly pointed out by Dr Letz) that there are no known effective antidotes for ethylene dibromide poisoning, strong admonitions were given to ensure that all unnecessary personnel on the scene were not secondarily exposed. Despite this warn¬ ing, some individuals in the vicinity of the exposure were unknowingly, but less severely, affected by this fumigant.In addition, we strongly urged rap¬ id and complete dermal decontamina¬ tion of these two workers, along with anyone else contacting the chemical, as soon as they were medically stable. The dermal decontamination protocol used by the Fresno Community Hos¬ pital Poison Control Center, Califor¬ nia, during this and other such cases, involves the following: First, ensure that all personnel attending the exposed patient are well gloved, gowned, and generally protected from secondary contamination. Next, have the exposed person rinse with cold water, then wash thoroughly (includ¬ ing under nail beds, hair, and skin folds) with a mild nongermicidal soap, then rinse again. This process is repeated twice more, first using warm water then using hot water. The order of water temperature (cold, warm, and hot) should ...
