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HF safety

HF safety. HF Safety. HYDROFLUORIC ACID IS one of the MOST ACUTELY TOXIC CHEMICALS There is no concentration of HF which can be relied upon as safe! As little as 7 ml of anhydrous HF in contact with the skin untreated can bind all the free calcium in an adult

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HF safety

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  1. HF safety

  2. HF Safety • HYDROFLUORIC ACID IS one of the MOST ACUTELY TOXIC CHEMICALS • There is no concentration of HF which can be relied upon as safe! • As little as 7 ml of anhydrous HF in contact with the skin untreated can bind all the free calcium in an adult • With burns involving greater than 25 square inches significant and sometimes fatal hypocalcaemia can occur • There is no material that is completely resistant to HF degradation Baird D. and Cooper C., “Hydrofluoric Acid Safety”, Fermilab.

  3. HF Safety PROPERTIES • Colorless liquid with strong irritating odor • Very strong corrosive inorganic acid • Nonflammable How Is HF Different from other acids? • HF is readily absorbed into skin binding to calcium and magnesium in the body to form insoluble salts that interfere with cellular metabolism causing cellular death and necrosis • Immediate necrosis and pain at high concentrations Baird D. and Cooper C., “Hydrofluoric Acid Safety”, Fermilab.

  4. HF Safety EXPOSURE • Liquid exposure (splash) • Gas exposure (lungs, skin & eyes) • Severe burns • Opacification of cornea • Blindness • Coughing/Choking • Cyanosis (blue lips) Worker Airborne Exposure Regulations • Irritation to nose and throat at 3 ppm • Short-term exposure limit 15 min - 2 ppm • 30 ppm is considered immediately dangerous to life and health Baird D. and Cooper C., “Hydrofluoric Acid Safety”, Fermilab.

  5. HF Safety SAFE WORK PRACTICES • Never use HF alone • Training • Always Wear Personal Protective Equipment • Documentation & Signs • Always use HF in the lab hood Baird D. and Cooper C., “Hydrofluoric Acid Safety”, Fermilab.

  6. HF Safety PPE • Neoprene gloves (Resistant for more than 8 hours) • Saranex coated coveralls • Face shield • Foot protection Baird D. and Cooper C., “Hydrofluoric Acid Safety”, Fermilab.

  7. HF Safety EMERGENCY PROCEDURE • Do not panic! Think ThinkThink • Assistant response • Help individual to eyewash/safety shower flush the area with large amounts of water for 5 minutes. Have the person remove all contaminated clothing while under the shower. • DO NOT CONTAMINATE YOURSELF • HF first aid treatment is not limited to washing off the skin (Calcium Gluconate Antidote). Baird D. and Cooper C., “Hydrofluoric Acid Safety”, Fermilab.

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