Hydrofluoric Acid

Skin Exposure to HF

1. Immediately flood the affected body area with cool water for a minimum of 5 minutes, if calcium gluconate is available. If no calcium gluconate is immediately available, continue rinsing the affected area until emergency medical responders arrive, using copious amounts of water. Remove contaminated clothing and footwear while rinsing.
2. Call or have a co-worker call for medical assistance (911 from any Yale phone). Be sure to indicate that you were exposed to hydrofluoric acid.
3. Gently rub calcium gluconate ointment onto the affected area. Continue applying until emergency medical responders arrive.
4. Inform responders and all others that the exposure involved hydrogen fluoride/hydrofluoric acid.

Eye or Inhalation Exposures to HF

1. Flush eyes with plenty of cool tap water for 15 minutes.
2. Move inhalation exposure victim to clean air.
3. Call or have a co-worker call for medical assistance (911 from any Yale phone).
4. Await emergency medical responders, informing them and all others that the exposure involved hydrogen fluoride/hydrofluoric acid.

Hydrogen fluoride and hydrofluoric acid cause severe, deeply penetrating burns to the skin, eyes and lungs. Although concentrated forms of these compounds are readily perceived by a burning sensation, more dilute forms are often imperceptible for many hours. This potential time delay between exposure recognition and treatment can lead to insidious and difficult to treat burns.

If you work with hydrogen fluoride or hydrofluoric acid, make certain you and your co-workers familiarize yourselves with these first aid procedures, and keep an updated supply of 2.5% calcium gluconate ointment in the work area. This ointment is available free-of-charge from the Office of Environmental Health & Safety.