WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HYDROFLUORIC ACID
1. Extremely TOXIC. May be fatal if inhaled or ingested.
2. Readily absorbed through the skin – contact may be fatal.
3. Acts as a systemic poison.
4. Causes severe burns.
5. Possible mutagen.
6. Reaction may be delayed.
7. Any contact with this material, even minor, requires immediate medical attention.
8. 1. Incompatible with strong bases, metals, glass, leather, water, alkalies, concrete, silica, sulphides, cyanides and carbonates.
9. Do not work with Hydrofluoric acid without calcium gluconate gel available to treat burns.
10. Do not assume that gloves provide an impenetratable barrier to the acid.
11. Is one of the strongest and most corrosive acids known.
12. Do not assume that dilute solutions do not require special precautions.
13. Damages living tissue with fluoride ions rapidly absorbed through the skin and able to migrate through and destroy tissue until they are eventually sequestered in the bones.
14. Causes long-term excruciating pain and burns which are slow to heal.
15. Burns around the fingertips are reputed to be particularly painful and may require the surgical removal of fingernails.
16. Procedures using Hydrofluoric Acid must never be attempted by an untrained person.
17. Corrosive.
18. Highly Poisonous.
19. Dilute solutions penetrate the skin but does not give the immediate burning sensation caused by the concentrated form of the acid, damage may be more severe due to the user being unaware of exposure.
20. Once the dilute solution has penetrated, its destructive action will continue even after surface solution has been washed off.
21. A splash of Hydrofluoric Acid into the eyes can rapidly and permanently damage sight.
22. The vapor of hydrogen fluoride, when inhaled, is almost completely absorbed into the blood stream from the nose, throat and upper airway, before it reaches the lungs. During absorption, it can irritate or cause symptoms as mild as itching of the nose. However, inhalation of high concentrations of Hydrogen Fluoride vapor is very irritating and its absorption into the blood stream can be fatal in the same way as skin absorption.
23. Can cause severe mouth, throat and stomach burns and may be fatal if swallowed.
24. Readily penetrates the skin and burns both skin and deeper tissues. If enough acid is absorbed, it may affect the heart and nervous system.
25. Click on the following link to read about a fatality caused by acute exposure to Hydrofluoric Acid .