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Chemical Name: Hydrofluoric Acid
Common Synonyms: HF, Fluoric Acid
Appearance: Colorless, fuming liquid with a pungent odor
Primary Uses: Stainless steel pickling, glass etching, semiconductor manufacturing, laboratory reagent
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), skin corrosion, serious eye damage
Main Hazards: Rapid skin penetration, systemic toxicity, potential for severe burns and necrosis, risk of death from cardiac toxicity due to calcium binding
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns, eye damage, and respiratory tract irritation; toxic if inhaled or absorbed through skin
Health Effects: Even brief exposure to dilute solutions can lead to delayed pain, tissue destruction, and persistent health problems
Ingredient: Hydrogen Fluoride (Water Solution)
Chemical Formula: HF in H₂O
Concentration: Common laboratory solutions range 1% to 70% HF
CAS Number: 7664-39-3
Other Ingredients: Water
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air immediately, keep warm and at rest, seek medical attention, oxygen supply recommended if breathing is difficult
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse affected area with copious water for at least 15 minutes, apply calcium gluconate gel right away, seek emergency care regardless of symptom severity
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for at least 15 minutes, keep eyelids apart, get emergency ophthalmologic attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, administer milk or calcium-containing antacids only on medical advice, seek hospital treatment without delay
Delayed Effects: Severe burns and internal tissue damage can present hours after exposure, requiring observation beyond initial care
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide for surrounding fire, avoid water stream contact with acid
Special Hazards: Releases toxic hydrogen fluoride gas with heat or fire, reacts violently with some metals, risk of explosion with contact with incompatible materials
Protective Equipment: Full protective clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus to avoid inhaling toxic gases
Additional Risks: Contaminated runoff poses serious hazard to first responders and the environment
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, restrict access, don chemical-resistant clothing, gloves, face shield, and positive-pressure respiratory protection
Environmental Precautions: Prevent run-off into drains, soil, or water courses, contain spill with non-combustible absorbents like vermiculite or sand (avoid sawdust or other organic absorbents)
Cleanup Methods: Neutralize with lime or soda ash carefully, scoop up and place in a corrosion-resistant waste container for proper disposal, decontaminate area with lime slurry
Monitoring: Continuous air monitoring for HF vapors and surface pH may be required in significant spills
Handling: Work in chemical fume hood, use proper PPE including acid-resistant gloves and apron, avoid splashes and inhaling vapors, never eat, drink, or smoke near work
Storage: Keep in tightly closed polyethylene or Teflon containers, separate from glass, metals, bases, and oxidizers, maintain secondary containment, store in cool, dry well-ventilated areas with restricted access
Incompatibilities: Strong bases, glass, silica-containing materials, most metals; avoid storage in glass or ceramic containers
Workplace Controls: Access limited to trained personnel; suitable safety showers and eyewash stations close to work areas
Occupational Exposure Limit: OSHA PEL: 3 ppm (Ceiling, as fluoride), NIOSH REL: 6 ppm (Ceiling)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation (chemical fume hood), corrosion-resistant equipment
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical goggles, full-face shield, acid-resistant gloves (neoprene, nitrile, Viton), lab coat or apron, respiratory protection for insufficient ventilation
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling, inspect gloves and protective gear before use, remove contaminated clothing immediately
Appearance: Colorless, fuming liquid
Odor: Sharp, irritating
Boiling Point: Approx. 19.5°C (for pure HF)
Melting Point: -83°C (for pure HF)
Density: About 1.15 g/cm³ (40% solution)
Solubility: Completely miscible with water
pH: Strong acid in water
Vapor Pressure: High; significant fuming at room temperature
Reactivity: Corrodes glass, ceramics, and many metals
Chemical Stability: Can be stable in closed polyethylene containers at ambient conditions, highly reactive with many common materials
Reactivity: Attacks glass, ceramics, concrete, and many metals, releasing explosive or toxic gases
Hazardous Reactions: Violent or exothermic reactions with bases, releases flammable hydrogen gas with certain metals
Hazardous Decomposition: Hydrogen, hydrogen fluoride vapor
Incompatibles: Alkalis, ammonia, glass, silica, strong oxidizers
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Effects: Rapid absorption through skin, deep tissue damage, systemic toxicity through calcium and magnesium binding
Symptoms: Severe pain, burns, blisters, delayed onset, heart rhythm disturbances, hypocalcemia, death possible even with small exposures
Chronic Effects: Bone changes, dental fluorosis, possible lung damage with repeated inhalation
Carcinogenicity: Not generally considered carcinogenic; focus remains on acute, life-threatening toxicity
Environmental Impact: Toxic to aquatic organisms due to fluoride ions, harms plants and wildlife, destroys aquatic vegetation
Persistence: Fluoride accumulates in soil and water, bioaccumulation potential in certain conditions
Degradation: Does not readily degrade in the environment, reacts with minerals to form persistent fluorides
Spill Risk: Even small releases can contaminate water sources and damage habitats
Waste Treatment: Neutralize with a basic agent such as lime or calcium carbonate, keep containment fully compatible
Disposal Method: Collect neutralized slurry for hazardous waste disposal through licensed contractor, never release untreated waste to sewers or the environment
Handling Waste: Use corrosion-resistant containers, label clearly for hazardous acid waste, all personnel involved must be trained and protected
Regulatory Requirements: Track and document all disposal in compliance with national and local hazardous waste regulations
UN Number: Regulated category for hazardous materials (a recognized UN Hazard Class 8 Corrosive and Class 6.1 Toxic)
Packing Group: II or I, reflecting dangerous reactivity and toxicity
Labels: Toxic and Corrosive symbols required on all packaging
Transport Conditions: Leak-proof, acid-resistant containers, emergency procedures in place for release or exposure during transit, segregation from incompatible substances
Driver/Handler Training: Strict requirements on training, protective gear, and emergency planning for handlers and transport personnel
OSHA: Strict regulations around exposure, handling, ventilation, emergency procedures
EPA: Listed as a hazardous substance, subject to stringent release and reporting requirements
International: Covered by many international transport and workplace safety treaties and guidelines including UN, EU, and others
Local Authority: Specific licensing, usage registers, and reporting often required; oversight by fire, health, and environmental authorities
