Introduction to Hydrofluoric Acid

8/18/2019 Introduction to Hydrofluoric Acid

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Safe Use ofSafe Use of

Hydrofluoric AcidHydrofluoric Acid

Department of Environmental Health & SafetyDepartment of Environmental Health & Safety

University of ConnecticutUniversity of Connecticut


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What is Hydrofluoric Acid?What is Hydrofluoric Acid?

Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) is a wea inor!anic acid used primarilyHydrofluoric Acid (HF) is a wea inor!anic acid used primarilyin industrial processes" !lass etchin!# metal cleanin!# electronicsin industrial processes" !lass etchin!# metal cleanin!# electronicsmanufacturin!manufacturin! ## la$oratory rea!ent# etc%la$oratory rea!ent# etc%

roperties"roperties"

' Clear# colorless and hi!hly corrosive li uid' Clear# colorless and hi!hly corrosive li uid

' isci$le in water ' isci$le in water

' Acrid# irritatin! odor ' Acrid# irritatin! odor

' *oncom$usti$le' *oncom$usti$le

' +SHA E, and AC-.H /,0 is 1ppm' +SHA E, and AC-.H /,0 is 1ppm


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Hydrofluoric Acid- Chemical PropertiesHydrofluoric Acid- Chemical Properties

HF etches !lass $y formin! stron! $ondsHF etches !lass $y formin! stron! $onds $etween the fluoride anions and the silicon $etween the fluoride anions and the siliconmolecules in !lassmolecules in !lass

HF is reactive with concrete# enamels# !la2es#HF is reactive with concrete# enamels# !la2es#ru$$er and many or!anic compoundsru$$er and many or!anic compounds

Upon reactions with metals# HF !eneratesUpon reactions with metals# HF !enerateshydro!en !as which could pose an e3plosionhydro!en !as which could pose an e3plosionha2ardha2ard


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Hydrofluoric Acid- HazardsHydrofluoric Acid- Hazards

oison4oison4 E3tremely corrosive li uid and vaporE3tremely corrosive li uid and vaporthat can cause severe in5ury via s in and eyethat can cause severe in5ury via s in and eye

contact# inhalation or in!estion%contact# inhalation or in!estion%echanismsechanisms

Corrosive 6urns' from free H7 ionsCorrosive 6urns' from free H7 ionsChemical 6urns' from penetration ofChemical 6urns' from penetration offluoride ionsfluoride ions


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Hydrofluoric Acid- ToxicityHydrofluoric Acid- Toxicity

Upon s in contact# HF readilyUpon s in contact# HF readily penetrates throu!h the penetrates throu!h thes in and forms insolu$le salts with calcium ands in and forms insolu$le salts with calcium andma!nesiumma!nesium

Solu$le salts are also formed $ut dissociate rapidly%Solu$le salts are also formed $ut dissociate rapidly%Conse uently fluoride ions release# leadin! to furtherConse uently fluoride ions release# leadin! to furtherdeep tissue destruction%deep tissue destruction%

ain is $elieved to result from nerve irritation causedain is $elieved to result from nerve irritation caused $y the influ3 of potassium ions compensatin! for the $y the influ3 of potassium ions compensatin! for thedepletion of calcium ions%depletion of calcium ions%


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Hydrofluoric Acid- Symptom OnsetHydrofluoric Acid- Symptom Onset

Concentrations"Concentrations"

88 9:;< solutions lead to immediate# severe $urnin! pain with9:;< solutions lead to immediate# severe $urnin! pain with $listers $listers

88 =;':;< solutions lead to redness# swellin!# and $listerin!=;':;< solutions lead to redness# swellin!# and $listerin!after > hoursafter > hours

88 ?=;< solutions may not produce symptoms for up to?=;< solutions may not produce symptoms for up to

=@hours=@hours

Deaths have $een reported from $urns of lessDeaths have $een reported from $urns of lessthan =%:< $ody surface area%than =%:< $ody surface area%


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Hydrofluoric Acid- Health ffectsHydrofluoric Acid- Health ffects

S!in Contact-S!in Contact- tissue destruction# necrosis#tissue destruction# necrosis#hypocalcemia# hyper alemia# hypoma!nesiahypocalcemia# hyper alemia# hypoma!nesia

ye Contact-ye Contact-

severe $urns# cornea destruction#severe $urns# cornea destruction#

$lindness $lindness

"n#estion"n#estion ' severe $urns to the mouth# esopha!us and' severe $urns to the mouth# esopha!us andstomachstomach

"nhalation"nhalation ' cou!hin!# cho in!# $ronchospasms#' cou!hin!# cho in!# $ronchospasms#acute pulmonary edemaacute pulmonary edema


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Hydrofluoric Acid- Safe Wor! PracticesHydrofluoric Acid- Safe Wor! Practices

rior to use of HF# researchers shouldrior to use of HF# researchers shouldfamiliari2e themselves with the SDS#familiari2e themselves with the SDS#standard operatin! procedures# emer!encystandard operatin! procedures# emer!encyresponse and first aid%response and first aid%

*ever wor alone or after hours with HF *ever wor alone or after hours with HF

All wor usin! HF should ta e place in a fumeAll wor usin! HF should ta e place in a fumehoodhood

*ever heat HF *ever heat HF


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Hydrofluoric Acid- Safe Wor! PracticesHydrofluoric Acid- Safe Wor! Practices

Ensure each container of HF is clearly la$eledEnsure each container of HF is clearly la$eled

HF shouldHF should onlyonly $e stored in polyethylene or $e stored in polyethylene or

/eflon containers/eflon containersSecondary containers should also $eSecondary containers should also $ecompati$le with HF (e%!% no !lass# metal# etc%)compati$le with HF (e%!% no !lass# metal# etc%)

HF containers should $e ti!htly'sealed whenHF containers should $e ti!htly'sealed whennot in use and ept away from other !lasswarenot in use and ept away from other !lassware


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Hydrofluoric Acid- PPHydrofluoric Acid- PP

yesyes ' /i!ht'fittin! !o!!les or full'face shield in' /i!ht'fittin! !o!!les or full'face shield incon5unction with !o!!lescon5unction with !o!!les

Hands-Hands- medium or heavywei!ht neoprene# naturalmedium or heavywei!ht neoprene# naturalru$$er# viton or nitrile !lovesru$$er# viton or nitrile !loves

earin! two pairs of !loves is recommendedearin! two pairs of !loves is recommended

Always consult the manufacturerBs !love selection !uideAlways consult the manufacturerBs !love selection !uide

$ody-$ody- la$ coat# acid'resistant apron#la$ coat# acid'resistant apron# lon! pants#lon! pants# closed'toed shoesclosed'toed shoes


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Hydrofluoric Acid- %irst AidHydrofluoric Acid- %irst Aid

S!in ContactS!in Contact.mmediately move to nearest wash.mmediately move to nearest washstation eyewash and rinse with waterstation eyewash and rinse with water

hile rinsin!# remove contaminated clothin!hile rinsin!# remove contaminated clothin!Have someone else in the la$ callHave someone else in the la$ call forforemer!ency medical assistanceemer!ency medical assistanceContinue rinsin! with water for : minutesContinue rinsin! with water for : minutes

.f availa$le# apply calcium !luconate !el to the.f availa$le# apply calcium !luconate !el to theaffected area usin! clean !lovesaffected area usin! clean !loves.f calcium !luconate !el is not availa$le# continue.f calcium !luconate !el is not availa$le# continuerinsin! the affected area under water until medicalrinsin! the affected area under water until medicalcare arrivescare arrives


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Hydrofluoric Acid- %irst AidHydrofluoric Acid- %irst Aidye Contactye Contact

.mmediately flush eyes with water .mmediately flush eyes with water for : minutesfor : minuteshile flushin! eyes# have someone from the la$ callhile flushin! eyes# have someone from the la$ call

for emer!ency medical assistancefor emer!ency medical assistance.f availa$le# irri!ate eyes with < calcium !luconate.f availa$le# irri!ate eyes with < calcium !luconatesolutionsolution (D+(D+ *+/ *+/ U/ CA,C.U -,UC+*A/E -E,S .* E ES)U/ CA,C.U -,UC+*A/E -E,S .* E ES)

"n#estion"n#estion

.mmediately drin lar!e amounts of water to dilute the acid.mmediately drin lar!e amounts of water to dilute the acidCallCall for emer!ency medical assistancefor emer!ency medical assistanceDo *+/ induce vomitin!Do *+/ induce vomitin!.f availa$le# mil # ylanta or antacid ta$lets can also $e.f availa$le# mil # ylanta or antacid ta$lets can also $eadministeredadministered


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Hydrofluoric Acid- %irst AidHydrofluoric Acid- %irst Aid

"nhalation"nhalation

ove the affected person to fresh air ove the affected person to fresh air

CallCall for emer!ency assistancefor emer!ency assistanceGeep affected person warm and comforta$leGeep affected person warm and comforta$le

.f $reathin! stops# $e!in C or use an.f $reathin! stops# $e!in C or use an

inhalator inhalator +3y!en should $e administered as soon as+3y!en should $e administered as soon asemer!ency medical personnel arriveemer!ency medical personnel arrive


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Hydrofluoric Acid- SpillsHydrofluoric Acid- Spills

.n the event of a spill of hydrofluoric acid".n the event of a spill of hydrofluoric acid"

Evacuate the la$Evacuate the la$

Close all doorsClose all doorsost Iost I &O 'OT 'T ( &O 'OT 'T ( J si!ns on the doorsJ si!ns on the doors

CallCall )**)** to alert the UC+** Fire Departmentto alert the UC+** Fire Department

eport to the la$Bs desi!nated meetin! placeeport to the la$Bs desi!nated meetin! place

For lar!e spills releases# pull the fire alarm toFor lar!e spills releases# pull the fire alarm toevacuate the $uildin!evacuate the $uildin!


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Hydrofluoric Acid- &isposalHydrofluoric Acid- &isposal

lace HF and HF contaminated waste inlace HF and HF contaminated waste in ti!htly'sealed plastic containersti!htly'sealed plastic containers

,a$el HF waste containers with the words,a$el HF waste containers with the wordsIHa2ardous asteJ and IHydrofluoric AcidJIHa2ardous asteJ and IHydrofluoric AcidJ

Su$mit a chemical waste pic 'up re uest toSu$mit a chemical waste pic 'up re uest toEH&S atEH&S at http" ehs%uconn%edu cwc re uest%phphttp" ehs%uconn%edu cwc re uest%php


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Hydrofluoric AcidHydrofluoric AcidTrue +ife AccidentTrue +ife Accident

A 1K'year'old male la$oratory technician was performin! acid di!estion of oilA 1K'year'old male la$oratory technician was performin! acid di!estion of oilwell core and ditch samples with K;< w w concentrated hydrofluoric acid in awell core and ditch samples with K;< w w concentrated hydrofluoric acid in afume cup$oard% He was $elieved to $e seated when he noc ed over a smallfume cup$oard% He was $elieved to $e seated when he noc ed over a small

uantity ( ;;'=1; ml) of hydrofluoric acid onto his lap# splashin! $oth thi!hs%uantity ( ;;'=1; ml) of hydrofluoric acid onto his lap# splashin! $oth thi!hs%

/he only personal protective e uipment ( E) worn was two pairs of wrist/he only personal protective e uipment ( E) worn was two pairs of wristlen!th ru$$er !loves and a pair of polyvinyl chloride ( 0C) sleeve protectors%len!th ru$$er !loves and a pair of polyvinyl chloride ( 0C) sleeve protectors%As a result of the fact that the technician was wor in! alone# it is unclearAs a result of the fact that the technician was wor in! alone# it is unclearwhether the spill was from the di!estion cup or the ='l $ul acid container%whether the spill was from the di!estion cup or the ='l $ul acid container%

/he technician sustained $urns to < of his $ody surface area# despite/he technician sustained $urns to < of his $ody surface area# despite

washin! his le!s with water from a ma eshift plum$in! arran!ement thatwashin! his le!s with water from a ma eshift plum$in! arran!ement thatsupplied water at L l% min '% *o calcium !luconate !el was applied to thesupplied water at L l% min '% *o calcium !luconate !el was applied to theaffected area and contaminated clothin! was not removed durin! the flushin!affected area and contaminated clothin! was not removed durin! the flushin!with water%with water%


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Hydrofluoric AcidHydrofluoric AcidTrue +ife AccidentTrue +ife Accident

Followin! flushin!# the technician# who appeared to $e in severe pain andFollowin! flushin!# the technician# who appeared to $e in severe pain andshoc # immersed himself in a chlorinated swimmin! pool at the rear of theshoc # immersed himself in a chlorinated swimmin! pool at the rear of thewor place# where he remained for appro3imately 1:'@; min $eforewor place# where he remained for appro3imately 1:'@; min $efoream$ulance help arrived%am$ulance help arrived%

/he in5ured man was hypothermic and hypocalacaemic on admission to an/he in5ured man was hypothermic and hypocalacaemic on admission to anintensive care unit at a near$y hospital# and soon $ecame unconscious% Hisintensive care unit at a near$y hospital# and soon $ecame unconscious% Hiscondition continued to deteriorate despite su$cutaneous in5ections ofcondition continued to deteriorate despite su$cutaneous in5ections ofcalcium !luconate and administration of intravenous calcium andcalcium !luconate and administration of intravenous calcium andma!nesium% His ri!ht le! was amputated K days after the incident% Hema!nesium% His ri!ht le! was amputated K days after the incident% Hesu$se uently died from multi'or!an failure : days after hydrofluoric acidsu$se uently died from multi'or!an failure : days after hydrofluoric acidspill%spill%


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eferenceseferences

Harvard University% arch =;;K% I-uidelines for the Safe Use ofHarvard University% arch =;;K% I-uidelines for the Safe Use ofHydrofluoric Acid%J : Man =; ;%Hydrofluoric Acid%J : Man =; ;%http" www%chem%harvard%edu safety safeNuseNofNHFNacid%pdf http" www%chem%harvard%edu safety safeNuseNofNHFNacid%pdf %%

+ccupational Safety & Health Administration% =K Apr % IHydro!en+ccupational Safety & Health Administration% =K Apr % IHydro!enFluoride%J : Man =; ;%Fluoride%J : Man =; ;%http" www%osha%!ov S,/C health!uidelines hydro!enfluoride inde3%htmlhttp" www%osha%!ov S,/C health!uidelines hydro!enfluoride inde3%html %%

il es# -ary% > Sept =;; % IHydrofluoric Acid 6urns%J : Man =; ;%il es# -ary% > Sept =;; % IHydrofluoric Acid 6urns%J : Man =; ;%http" emedicine%medscape%com article KK11;@'overviewhttp" emedicine%medscape%com article KK11;@'overview ..
http://www.chem.harvard.edu/safety/safe_use_of_HF_acid.pdfhttp://www.chem.harvard.edu/safety/safe_use_of_HF_acid.pdfhttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/hydrogenfluoride/index.htmlhttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/hydrogenfluoride/index.htmlhttp://emedicine.medscape.com/article/773304-overviewhttp://emedicine.medscape.com/article/773304-overviewhttp://emedicine.medscape.com/article/773304-overviewhttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/hydrogenfluoride/index.htmlhttp://www.chem.harvard.edu/safety/safe_use_of_HF_acid.pdf

Introduction to Hydrofluoric Acid

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