HYDROFLUORIC ACID
Synonyms: Fluorohydric acid; fluoric acid; Hydrogen fluoride
solution
CAS No.: 7664-39-3
Molecular Weight: 20.01
Chemical Formula: HF in Aqueous Solution.
MSDS Number: H3994 --- Effective Date: 09/16/97
Product Codes:
J.T. Baker: 5368, 5659, 5818, 5824, 5840, 6904, 9559, 9560, 9563,
9564, 9567, 9572, 9573,
9574, 9575
Mallinckrodt: 2640, 2648, V580
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Chemical Name |
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| 7664-39-3 | Hydrogen Fluoride |
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| 7732-18-5 | Water |
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Emergency Overview
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POISON! DANGER! CORROSIVE. EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS LIQUID AND
VAPOR. CAUSES SEVERE BURNS WHICH MAY NOT BE IMMEDIATELY PAINFUL
OR VISIBLE. MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. LIQUID AND VAPOR
CAN BURN SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. CAUSES BONE DAMAGE.
REACTION WITH CERTAIN METALS GENERATES FLAMMABLE AND POTENTIALLY
EXPLOSIVE HYDROGEN GAS.
J.T. Baker SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
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Health Rating: 4 - Extreme (Poison)
Flammability Rating: 0 - None
Reactivity Rating: 2 - Moderate
Contact Rating: 4 - Extreme (Corrosive)
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES & SHIELD; LAB COAT & APRON;
VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES
Potential Health Effects
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Exposure to hydrofluoric acid can produce harmful health effects that may not be immediately apparent.
Inhalation:
Severely corrosive to the respiratory tract. May cause sore throat,
coughing, labored breathing and lung congestion/inflammation.
Ingestion:
Corrosive. May cause sore throat, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting,
severe burns of the digestive tract, and kidney dysfunction.
Skin Contact:
Corrosive to the skin. Skin contact causes serious skin burns
which may not be immediately apparent or painful. Symptoms may
be delayed 8 hours or longer. The fluoride ion readily penetrates
the skin causing destruction of deep tissue layers and even bone.
Eye Contact:
Corrosive to the eyes. Symptoms of redness, pain, blurred vision,
and permanent eye damage may occur.
Chronic Exposure:
Intake of more than 6 mg of fluorine per day may result in fluorosis,
bone and joint damage. Hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia can occur
from absorption of fluoride ion into blood stream.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders, eye problems, or impaired
kidney or respiratory function may be more susceptible to the
effects of this substance.
For any route of contact: Detailed First Aid procedure
should be planned before beginning workwith HF.
Inhalation:
Get medical help immediately. If patient is unconscious, give
artificial respiration or use inhalator.
Keep patient warm and resting, and send to hospital after first
aid is complete.
Ingestion:
If swallowed, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give large quantities of
water. Never give
anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention
immediately.
Skin Contact:
FOR ACID BURNS TO THE BODY: 1) Remove the victim from the contaminated
area and
immediately place him under a safety shower or wash him with a
water hose, whichever is
available. 2) Remove all contaminated clothing. 3) Keep washing
with large amounts of water for a
minimum of 15 to 20 minutes. 4) Have someone make arrangements
for medical attention while
you continue flushing the affected area with water. 5) a) If available,
after thorough washing, the
burned area should be immersed in a solution of 0.2% iced aqueous
Hyamine 1622 or 0.13% iced
aqueous Zephiran Chloride. If immersion is not practical, towels
should be soaked with one of the
above solutions and used as compresses for the burn area. Ideally
compresses should be changed
every 2 minutes. 5) b) An alternative treatment to 5a is for the
physician to inject sterile 10%
aqueous calcium gluconate solution subcutaneously beneath, around,
and in the burned area.
Initially use no more than 0.5 cc per square centimeter and do
not distort appearance of skin. If
pain is not completely relieved, additional treatment is indicated.
6) Seek medical attention as soon
as possible for all burns regardless of how minor they may appear
initially. Hyamine 1622 is a
trade name for Tetracaine Benzethonium Chloride, Merck Index Monograph
1078, a quaternary
ammonium compound sold by Rohm & Haas, Philadelphia. Zephiran
Chloride is a trade name for
Benzalkonium Chloride, Merck Index Monograph 1059, also a quaternary
ammonium compound,
sold by SANOFI Winthrop Pharmaceutical, New York, NY.
Eye Contact:
FOR ACID IN THE EYES: 1) Irrigate eyes for at least 30 minutes
with copious quantities of
water, keeping the eyelids apart and away from eyeballs during
irrigation. 2) Get competent
medical attention immediately, preferably an eye specialist. 3)
If a physician is not immediately
available, apply one or two drops of 0.5% Pontocaine Hydrochloride
solution. 4) Do not use oily
drops or ointment. Place ice pack on eyes until reaching emergency
room.
Note to Physician:
For burns of large skin areas, (greater than 25 square inches),
for ingestion and for significant
inhalation exposure, severe systemic effects may occur. Monitor
and correct for hypocalcemia,
cardiac arrhythmias, hypomagnesemia and hyperkalemia. In some
cases renal dialysis may be
indicated. For certain burns, especially of the digits, use of
intra-arterial calcium glucaonate may be
indicated. Treat as chemical pneumonia. Monitor for hypocalcemia,
2.5% calcium gluconate in
normal saline by nebulizer or by IPPB with 100% oxygen may decrease
pulmonary damage.
Bronchodilators may also be administered. Medical Surveillance:
Provide phycical examinations of
exposed personnel every six months including fluoride determinations
in urine, studies of liver and
kidney function: chest X-ray, annually. Protect from exposure
those individuals with diseases of
kidneys, liver, and lung. (ITII. Toxic and Hazardous Industrial
Chemicals Safety Manual). AN
ALTERNATIVE FIRST AID PROCEDURE: Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) is
a highly corrosive and
toxic acid, even in a dilute form. It can severely damage the
skin and eyes causing severe burns
which are extremely painful. Additionally, the vapor from anhydrous
HF or its concentrated
solutions can cause damage to skin, eyes and the respiratory system.
HF differs from other strong
acids in that it not only causes surface burns but rapidly penetrates
the skin, even in dilute solution,
and causes destruction of underlying tissue and even bone by the
extraction of Calcium. For this
reason, washing the burn with water is not sufficient. A neutralizing
agent which will also
penetrate the skin is required. The effect of HF, i.e. onset of
pain, particularly in dilute solutions,
may not be felt for up to 24 hours. It is important, therefore,
that persons using HF have
immediate access to an effective antidote even when they are away
from their work place in order
that first aid treatment can be commenced immediately while the
patient seeks medical advice.
HOW TO TREAT HYDROFLUORIC ACID BURNS: It has been conclusively
shown (references
1,2,3 and 4 below) that flushing the affected area with water
for one minute and then massageing
HF Antidote Gel into the wound until there is a cessation of pain
is the most effective first aid
treatment available. HF Antidote Gel contains Calcium Gluconate
which combines with HF to
form insoluble Calcium Fluoride, thus preventing the extraction
of Calcium from the body tissue
and bones. HF Antidote Gel is available in 25g tubes, and since
the effects of the dilute acid may
nto be apparent for some hours, we recommend that any person in
contact with HF should carry,
or have access to a tube of HF Antidote Gel at all times; ideally
with one tube at the work place,
one on the person and one at home. Fore safety's sake, we believe
that HF Antidote Gel should be
issued to all employees who may come into contact with HF. EYE
INJURIES: Irrigate the affected
part immediately with copious amounts of cold water. Urgent medical
advice must be sought. HF
Antidote Gel is NOT for use in the eye. It is imperative that
any person who has been contaminated
by HF should seek medical advice even when the treatment by HF
Antidote Gel has been applied.
REFERENCES: 1. Browno, T.D. Treatment of Hydrofluoric Acid
Burns 2. Sprout, W.L. et al
Treatment of Severe Hydrofluoric Acid Exposures (Journal of American
Occupational Medicine
25:12, 1993) 3. Bracken, W.M. et al Comparative Effectiveness
of Topical Treatments for
Hydrofluoric Acid Burns, University of Kansas (Journal of Occupational
Medicine 27:10:1985) 4.
Burke, W.J. , et al Systemic Fluoride Poisoning Resulting from
A Flouride Skin Burn (Journal of
Occupational Medicine (5,39:1973) Distributed by PHARMASCIENCE
INC., Montreal, Canada.
Notify safety personnel, provide adequate ventilation, and
remove ignition sources since hydrogen
may be generated by reactions with metals. Wear appropriate personal
protective equipment as
specified in Section 8. Do not flush to sewers or waterways. Spills:
Evacuate the danger area.
Apply magnesium sulfate (dry) to the spill area. Follow up with
inert absorbent (acid spill tamer)
and add soda ash or magnesium oxide and slaked lime. Collect in
appropriate plastic containers and
save for disposal. Wash spill site with soda ash solution. NOTE:
Porous materials (concrete,
wood, plastic, etc.) will absorb HF and become a hazard for an
indefinite time. Such spills should
be cleaned and neutralized immediately. US Regulations (CERCLA)
require reporting spills and
releases to soil, water and air in excess of reportable quantities.
The toll free number for the US
Coast Guard National Response Center is (800) 424-8802.
J. T. Baker TEAM(tm) 'Low Na+' acid neutralizer is recommended for spills of this product.
Keep in tightly closed polyethylene containers. Store in a
cool, dry place with adequate ventilation
separated from other chemicals. Protect from physical damage.
Storage facilities should be
constructed for containment and neutralization of spills. Handling
and storage of HF requires
special materials and technology for containers, pipes, valves,
etc., which is available from
suppliers. Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty
since they retain product
residues (vapors, liquid); observe all warnings and precautions
listed for the product.
Storage Color Code: White (Corrosive)
Airborne Exposure Limits:
Hydrogen fluoride:
-OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
3 ppm (TWA)
ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV):
3 ppm Ceiling as F
Ventilation System:
A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep
employee exposures as low as
possible. Local exhaust ventilation is generally preferred because
it can control the emissions of the
contaminant at its source, preventing dispersion of it into the
general work area. Please refer to the
ACGIH document, Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended
Practices, most recent
edition, for details.
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved):
If the exposure limit is exceeded, a full facepiece respirator
with an acid gas cartridge may be worn
up to 50 times the exposure limit or the maximum use concentration
specified by the appropriate
regulatory agency or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest.
For emergencies or instances where
the exposure levels are not known, use a full-facepiece positive-pressure,
air-supplied respirator.
WARNING: Air purifying respirators do not protect workers in oxygen-deficient
atmospheres.
Since the IDLH is low (30 ppm), the above cartridge system is
not specifically approved for HF.
(3M Respirator Selection Guide)
Skin Protection:
Wear protective clothing, including boots or safety shoes with
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or
neoprene. Use chemical goggles and/or a full face shield. Wear
coveralls with long sleeves,
gauntlets and gloves of PVC or neoprene. A high degree of protection
is obtained with an
air-inflated suit with mask and safety belt. Use protection suitable
for conditions.
Eye Protection:
Use chemical safety goggles and/or full face shield where splashing
is possible. Maintain eye wash
fountain and quick drench facilities in work area.
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Stability:
Stable at room temperature (68F) when stored and used under proper
conditions.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
On contact with metals, liberates hydrogen gas. On heating to
decomposition, could yield toxic
fumes of fluorides. Attacks glass and other silicon containing
compounds. Reacts with silica to
produce silicon tetrafluoride, a hazardous colorless gas.
Hazardous Polymerization:
Will not occur.
Incompatibilities:
Hydrofluoric acid is incompatible with arsenic trioxide, phosphorus
pentoxide, ammonia, calcium
oxide, sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, vinyl acetate, ethylenediamine,
acetic anhydride, alkalis,
organic materials, most common metals, rubber, leather, water,
strong bases, carbonates, sulfides,
cyanides, oxides of silicon, especially glass, concrete, silica,
fluorine. Will also react with steam or
water to produce toxic fumes.
Conditions to Avoid:
Moisture and incompatibles.
Hydrofluoric acid: Inhalation rat LC50: 1276 ppm/1H; Investigated as a mutagen, reproductive effector.
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Environmental Fate:
If the pH is > 6.5, soil can bind fluorides tightly. High calcium
content will immobilize fluorides,
which can be damaging to plants when present in acid soils.
Environmental Toxicity:
This material is expected to be slightly toxic to aquatic life.
60 ppm/*/Fish/Lethal/Fresh Water
*= time period not specified. > 300ppm/48hr./Shrimp/LC50/Aerated
Saltwater
Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be
handled as hazardous waste and sent
to a RCRA approved incinerator or disposed in a RCRA approved
waste facility. Processing, use
or contamination of this product may change the waste management
options. State and local
disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal regulations.
Dispose of container and unused
contents in accordance with federal, state and local requirements.
NFPA Ratings: Health: 4 Flammability: 0 Reactivity: 1
Label Hazard Warning:
POISON! DANGER! CORROSIVE. EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS LIQUID AND VAPOR.
CAUSES SEVERE BURNS WHICH MAY NOT BE IMMEDIATELY PAINFUL OR VISIBLE.
MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. LIQUID AND VAPOR CAN BURN
SKIN,
EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. CAUSES BONE DAMAGE. REACTION WITH
CERTAIN METALS GENERATES FLAMMABLE AND POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE
HYDROGEN GAS.
Label Precautions:
Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
Do not breathe vapor.
Cool before opening.
Use only with adequate ventilation.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Store in a tightly closed container.
Label First Aid:
IN ALL CASES, CALL PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY. First Aid procedures
should be
pre-planned for HF emergencies. A supply of 50:50 water/magnesium
sulfate paste or 2 1/2%
Calcium Gluconate paste should be available where first aid medications
are administered. If
ingested, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If patient is conscious, give
large quantities of milk or
water and send to hospital. If inhaled and patient is unconscious,
give artificial respiration or use
inhalator and send to hospital. In case of eye contact, wash open
eyes with large but gentle stream
of water for 15 minutes. Place ice pack on eyes until reaching
emergency room. In case of skin
contact, remove contaminated clothing and wash burn area with
plenty of water to remove acid.
Cover burn area with a poultice of 50:50 water/magnesium sulfate
paste or 2 1/2% calcium
gluconate paste. Leave in place until medical help arrives or
patient is transferred to hospital.
Product Use:
Laboratory Reagent.
Revision Information:
Disclaimer:
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Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. provides the information contained
herein in good faith
but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy.
This
document is intended only as a guide to the appropriate precautionary
handling of
the material by a properly trained person using this product.
Individuals receiving
the information must exercise their independent judgment in determining
its
appropriateness for a particular purpose. MALLINCKRODT BAKER,
INC.
MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH
RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR THE PRODUCT
TO WHICH THE INFORMATION REFERS. ACCORDINGLY, MALLINCKRODT
BAKER, INC. WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING
FROM USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIS INFORMATION.
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Prepared by: Strategic Services Division
Phone Number: (314) 539-1600 (U.S.A.)