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Hydrofluoric Acid
Safe Handling Guidelines

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HEALTH HAZARDS

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is an extremely corrosive acid used in many laboratory processes (sample digestion, surface cleaning, etching, and biological staining).  HF is significantly more hazardous than many other acids.  This safe handling guideline provides information/awareness of the hazards of HF, ways to protect you against the hazards of HF, and emergency procedures to follow for exposures/contamination.  Potential health hazards can vary depending upon the concentration, mode, and duration of exposure.  This guideline must be included in the standard operating procedure notebook for those labs using HF.

  • Eye and skin exposure

    • HF is very corrosive and readily destroys tissue.  Eye contamination/exposure may result in blindness or permanent eye damage.  HF readily penetrates human skin, allowing it to penetrate quickly through soft tissue and destroy both soft tissues and decalcify the underlining bone.  Skin contamination to 50% or greater HF solutions can result in immediate serious and painful destruction of tissue.  Chemical burns are typically very painful and slow to heal.  Once HF penetrates the skin, systemic fluoride poisoning may result that could be fatal. Lower concentrations of HF may not produce pain or burning sensations until hours after the exposure. All skin, eye, or tissue contact with HF solutions should receive immediate first aid as well as medical evaluation/treatment, even if the contamination appears minor.

  • Inhalation of HF vapor

    • Inhalation of HF vapors can seriously damage the lungs.  Delayed health effects including fatal pulmonary edema (flooding of the lungs with body fluids) could occur hours after the initial exposure. The OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits to airborne concentrations of HF is 3 parts per million (ppm) (as Fluorine) over an 8-hour day.  Airborne concentrations of 10-15 ppm will irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.  Even brief exposures of HF above 50 ppm may be fatal.

  • Chronic HF exposure

    • Long-term or chronic exposure/contamination to HF may result in fluorosis.  This health problem is characterized by weight loss, anemia, bone embrittlement, and general ill health.

INFORMATION AND TRAINING

All employees handling HF must receive documented training from the PI or his/her representative on the hazards of HF and what to do in the event of an exposure or spill.  Training records are to be retained in the lab.  A Material Safety Data Sheet MSDS) on HF must be kept in the immediate work area.  The MSDS for HF is available on the University’s MSDS electronic system, available to University personnel at:http://www.safety.rochester.edu/restricted/msds.html (note:  link will only work while using a computer within the University of Rochester system).

ENGINEERING CONTROLS AND PERSONAL PROTECTION

  • Ventilation

    • HF must be used with adequate ventilation to minimize inhalation of vapor.  Concentrations greater than 10% of the concentrated material must be handled inside a chemical fume hood.  The fume hood needs to have a current calibration sticker (within 1 year).   Should the fume hood appear not to be functioning properly, contact Facilities (x34567) and EH&S (x53241) immediately.

  • Eye Protection

    • Because HF is highly corrosive, safety glasses with side shields do not provide adequate eye protection.  Personnel are to use non-vented chemical splash goggles and a face shield when handling concentrated HF. 

  • Body Protection

    • Personnel are to wear a lab coat with a chemical splash apron made out of Viton, neoprene or natural rubber when handing concentrated HF.  Prohibited clothing includes shorts, skirts, and open-toed shoes/sandles when handling HF.  The chemical splash aprons should be rinsed off or wiped down with wet paper towels after use.  Dispose of these paper towels in the lab’s general trash bag.

  • Gloves

    • Personnel need to consult a manufacturer’s glove selection guide to determine the types of gloves needed for the HF work planned.  EH&S can assist you in the appropriate glove selection.  As a minimum, medium weight Viton, nitrile, or natural rubber gloves are recommended.  Personnel can elect to wear a second pair of nitrile gloves under the heavier-duty gloves for additional protection.  Because these protective gloves are intended to supply splash or drip protection, never submerge fingers of gloved hands into these solutions.

    Gloves not contaminated with HF may be disposed of as regular trash.  Gloves contaminated with HF need to be removed immediately, hands examined for possible exposure, and hands washed.  Contaminated gloves must be disposed of as hazardous waste through the Hazardous Waste Unit (x5-2056).

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

The MSDS, this guideline, and the “Hydrofluoric Acid Emergency Procedures” document must be kept in the immediate work area.   These documents provide specific information on first aid measures and medical treatment needed for contamination/exposures. It is imperative that any person who has been contaminated by HF seeks medical advice/treatment even though the first aid administration of Calcium gluconate gel, has been applied. 

Some of these measures/treatments include:   

  • Eyewash and Shower

    • Since HF is corrosive and rapidly damages tissue, OSHA requires an eyewash station in the immediate work location (same room). The eyewash needs to be flushed weekly to ensure proper operation of the unit and to maintain clean water in the line.  A log is to be maintained to document the flushing occurred.  The eyewash stations needs to be accessible at all times.  OSHA requires a safety shower be within 10 seconds of unobstructed travel distance (about 75 feet) of locations using HF.  Safety showers are periodically tested/flushed by Facilities to ensure proper operation.

  • Eye exposure

    • Personnel with an eye exposure need to use the eyewash station immediately and irrigate the eyes for at least 15 minutes. Do not apply calcium gluconate gel to eyes.  Have a co-worker call for medical assistance (Security ext. 13) while flushing occurs.  In all cases of eye exposure, seek prompt medical attention. 

  • Skin Exposure

    • For skin exposures, immediately remove any contaminated clothing and start rinsing the affected body part with water for 5 minutes. Have a co-worker call for medical assistance (call Security at x13) while the rinsing is occurring.  If calcium gluconate gel is readily available, apply, using a glove, to the affected area quickly to limit the migration and penetration of the fluoride ion.  Should medical attention take more than 15 minutes, reapply and massage the calcium gluconate gel into affected area of skin every 15 minutes until medical attentions is obtained. 

    Contaminated clothing needs to be packaged and disposed of as hazardous waste through the Hazardous Waste Management Unit.  Handle contaminated clothing with gloves.  Remove any valuables from the clothing before disposing.

  • Inhalation:

    • Move victim to fresh air. Seek prompt medical attention.

  • Ingestion:

    • Do not induce vomiting.  Drink large amounts of water or, if available, several glasses of milk or milk of magnesia to dilute any ingested HF.  Seek prompt medical attention.

  • Calcium Gluconate Gel

    • Calcium gluconate gel is a topical antidote agent for first aid treatment of HF skin exposure.  It should never be considered a substitute for medical evaluation and treatment of HF exposures.  Calcium gluconate combines with HF to form insoluble calcium fluoride.  This reaction prevents calcium from being extracted from tissues and bones.

    A tube of calcium gluconate gel should be maintained in locations where HF is used. Calcium gluconate has a limited shelf life and should be stored in a refrigerator.  A new supply needs to be ordered and received prior to the expiration date on the container. 

    When the gel is applied, utilize disposable gloves to minimize additional exposure to HF to skin.  After applying calcium gluconate, seek medical attention immediately.

SAFE STORAGE AND HANDLING OF HF

  • Safe Work Practices

    • Do not eat, smoke, or drink where HF is used/stored.  EH&S recommends that at least 2 people be present when concentrated HF solutions are used.  After any glove removal, hands should be checked for possible exposure and then washed.

  • HF Spills

    • Small spills of HF inside a chemical fume hood, or spills of less than 50 ml of concentrated HF (or equivalent) outside of fume hoods, can be cleaned up by laboratory staff provided they have been trained and understand the hazards of HF, have the necessary supplies, and have adequate staff to handle the spill. 

    Spilled greater than 50 ml of concentrated HF (or equivalent) outside a chemical hood requires the evacuation of the immediate area.  Close the door(s) and call Security (x13) and request the University Spill Team.  Post an employee at the door (outside of the location) to keep personnel out of the space until the spill team arrives.   

    EH&S recommends lime be used to absorb HF.  Sodium bicarbonate or other approved absorbent specified for HF can be used for clean up.   Never use products such as commercially prepared organic spill kits because the HF can react with the absorbent materials releasing silicon tetrafluoride, a toxic gas.

    Any collected waste needs to be placed into a heavy-duty plastic (polyethylene or Teflon) bucket with a sealable top.  A Hazardous Waste Tag needs to be placed on the container.  Contact Hazardous Waste Management Unit at x5-2056 for a pick-up.

  • Storage  

    • All HF solutions are to be labeled and stored in chemically compatible containers (e.g., Teflon or polyethylene) only.  Do not store HF near or with incompatible chemicals such as ammonia or other alkaline materials.  HF solutions must never be stored at or above eye/chest level at workbenches, otherwise potential eye or other exposures could occur should the bottle be dropped or fall.

  • Waste

    • HF waste must be placed in a chemically compatible container (polyethylene or Teflon) having a sealed lid, properly labeled, and disposed of through the University’s Hazardous Waste Management Unit (x5-2056).

HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH OTHER FLUORINE COMPOUNDS

Many fluorine containing chemicals may react with water or acids to produce HF.  EH&S recommends personnel review MSDSs of any fluoride compounds they have to minimize the risk of creating a HF hazard.

QUESTIONS?

EH&S can assist personnel on the hazards of HF, its storage, handling, and cleanup procedures.  If assistance is needed, or if you have any questions about HF, call EH&S at X5-3241.

QUESTIONS? Contact EH&S at (585) 275-3241 or e-mail EH&S Questions.

This page last updated 9/10/2009. Disclaimer