hydrofluoric acid on skin

• 12 stycznia 2021
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2. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is one of the most dangerous corrosive inorganic acids due to its ability to destroy body tissue.1 It is well known for its ability to dissolve silica and glass and is used in numerous industrial processes (e.g. When local or state health department or emergency personnel arrive, tell them what you did with your clothes. Last Updated: September 6, 2019 Because of the ability of hydrofluoric acid to penetrate tissue, poisoning can occur readily through exposure of skin or eyes, or when inhaled or swallowed. If severe exposure occurs, expect a rapid onset of pain and damage to the cornea. You can also use hexafluorine, which is a chemical compound that has also been used extensively for HF burns. Can I use baking soda to neutralize an acid burn? Seek medical attention as soon as possible from the time of exposure to reduce the time the acid can continue to linger and cause damage. If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water. Depending on the concentration of the chemical and the length of time of exposure, skin contact with hydrogen fluoride may cause severe pain at the point of contact; a rash; and deep, slow-healing burns. A burn that is grade 2 appears with a white burn mark and surrounding painful redness, but also demonstrates blistering and edema, which is leakage of intra-cellular fluids outside of damaged cellular tissue. Hydrogen fluoride is also used for etching glass and metal. Hydrofluoric acid, meanwhile, keeps its single hydrogen and single fluorine atom together much of the time. Hydrofluoric acid is a highly corrosive solution of the chemical compound hydrogen fluoride in water. HF interferes with nerve function, meaning that … Calcium gluconate (a calcium sugar) containing gels, solutions, and medications are used to treat hydrogen fluoride poisoning. Hydrogen fluoride goes easily and quickly through the skin and into the tissues in the body. Otherwise, Magnesium hydroxide-containing antacids, such as Mylanta, can be applied as well. For more information on evacuation during a chemical emergency, see “. It can exist as a colorless gas or as a fuming liquid, or it can be dissolved in water. However, some studies have not found it to be any more effective in reducing electrolyte disturbances than proper rinsing with water. Often, patients exposed to low concentrations of hydrogen fluoride on the skin do not show effects or experience pain immediately. The seriousness of poisoning caused by hydrogen fluoride depends on the amount, route, and length of time of exposure, as well as the age and preexisting medical condition of the person exposed. Pain associated with exposure to solutions of HF (1-50%) may be delayed for 1-24 hours. You will be tested on your ability to inhale, exhale, and the rate at which you can achieve these actions. A hydrofluoric acid burn is a chemical burn from hydrofluoric acid. He currently works for Mountain View Safety Services and previously worked for the British Columbia Ambulance Service. In a natural disaster, you could be exposed to high levels of hydrogen fluoride when storage facilities or containers are damaged and the chemical is released. Ensure that jewelry which could trap HF is also removed. While HF gas is one of the most acidic gases known, aqueous HF is technically a weak acid. Hydrofluoric acid is also transported for these purposes, so may be present on trucks, trains, ships or in courier vehicles. Breathing hydrogen fluoride can damage lung tissue and cause swelling and fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema). Other chemicals also can cause these effects. Anthony has a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. The health department or emergency personnel will arrange for further disposal. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. This article was co-authored by Anthony Stark, EMR. Flush the affected skin with cool water for 15 minutes or more while someone else calls for medical attention. Hydrochloric acid is in itself corrosive, meaning that touching hydrochloric acid can cause immediate discomfort. He currently works for Mountain View Safety Services and previously worked for the British Columbia Ambulance Service. This follow-up may be in person or over the telephone, depending on the severity of your exposure and the doctor's judgment. There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Hydrogen fluoride is a chemical compound that contains fluorine. It is commonly used to etch glass and silicon wafers. The process of treating HF inhalation injury is highly complex, and more experimental research is still needed to learn proper care techniques. The degree of skin damage is calculated as described in the method section. The vapors from anhydrous HF acid or its concentrated solutions can also burn these tissues. First, if the hydrogen fluoride was released into the air, get fresh air by leaving the area where the chemical was released. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The goal of immediate treatment is to reduce your pain, neutralize the effects of burns, and then to assess and come up with a treatment plan based on the outcome. You cannot effectively treat HF exposure on your own. Avoid touching contaminated areas of the clothing. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This constant flow of cool water should not overly cold but cool enough to soothe the burn. Skin Exposure – Strong HF acid concentrations (over 50%) and anhydrous HF in particular, cause immediate, severe, If the hydrogen fluoride release was outside, move away from the area where the chemical was released. Hydrogen fluoride is used to make refrigerants, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, high-octane gasoline, aluminum, plastics, electrical components, and fluorescent light bulbs. This can be even worse, depending on the concentration of the acid and the length of exposure. Complications can include electrolyte, heart, lung, kidney, and neurological problems. Hydrofluoric acid is especially dangerous. Long pants and sleeves 5. If you wear eyeglasses, wash them with soap and water. Hydrofluoric acid is highly lipophilic acid and readily penetrates through the skin into the deeper tissues. Use gloves, masks, and gowns, if possible. Face shield (plastic) 3. The dissolved form is called hydrofluoric acid. Just as with other HF exposure, your doctor will take a blood test to check your electrolyte balances, look for any arrhythmias or heart palpitations, and will review your Echocardiogram (ECG) to check for any abnormalities. Do not put the contacts back in your eyes (even if they are not disposable contacts). People who survive after being severely injured by breathing in hydrogen fluoride may suffer lingering chronic lung disease. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Sixty percent of the hydrogen fluoride used in manufacturing is for processes to make refrigerants. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. As quickly as possible, wash any hydrogen fluoride from your skin with large amounts of water. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) burns are serious, and it's important to seek medical attention immediately after a burn even if you don't feel symptoms. Direct contact with HF can cause major damage to your skin tissue, as HF is a corrosive substance that burns. Ingestion of small amounts of HF can lead to … Skin contact with hydrogen fluoride may not cause immediate pain or visible skin damage (signs of exposure). Inhalation: Coughing, chocking, tightness in the chest, chills, fever, and blue skin can all be a result of inhalation of hydrofluoric acid. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) contact with skin can cause severe chemical burns. The main cause of death is from the fluoride in HF entering the bloodstream, trapping calcium and magnesium and quickly damaging the heart, muscles and nervous system. Skin contact with hydrogen fluoride may cause severe burns that develop after several hours and form skin ulcers. Exposure usually is unintentional and often is due to inadequate use of protective measures. If you have calcium gluconate gel, apply it generously to the burn. If you work in an occupation that uses hydrogen fluoride, you may be exposed to this chemical in the workplace. Swallowing hydrogen fluoride can damage the esophagus and stomach. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Treat-a-Hydrofluoric-Acid-Burn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Treat-a-Hydrofluoric-Acid-Burn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8a\/Treat-a-Hydrofluoric-Acid-Burn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid412748-v4-728px-Treat-a-Hydrofluoric-Acid-Burn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"