Hydrogen Fluoride

What is hydrogen fluoride?

Hydrogen fluoride (HF) is a colorless gas or liquid
that is made up of a hydrogen atom and a fluorine atom. It creates
strong fumes, readily dissolves in water, and both the liquid and gas
will cause severe burns upon contact. The liquid form is called
hydrofluoric acid. Commercially, HF is used in the manufacture of
fluorocarbons, which are used as refrigerants, solvents and aerosols.

Low levels of sodium fluoride are found in products
such as toothpaste and water. Sodium fluoride is different than
hydrogen fluoride. A concentrated release of hydrogen fluoride can
cause harm.

How can someone come into contact with hydrogen fluoride?

Exposure to small amounts of fluoride can occur by
breathing air, drinking water, eating food or using some other products
that contain fluoride. Fluoride in low amounts will not harm people,
and may actually have health benefits such as preventing tooth decay.

• In the air: Small amounts
  of fluoride are normally found in the air. The amount of fluoride that
  you breathe in a day is much less than what you may consume in food and
  water. You may breathe in higher levels of fluoride in areas near
  coal-fired power plants or fluoride-related industries (e.g., aluminum
  smelters, phosphorus fertilizer plants) or near hazardous waste sites.
• In the water:
  Many communities fluoridate their water supplies to prevent dental
  decay (the recommended level of fluoride is around 1 part per million).
  Persons living in non-fluoridated areas may be exposed through
  beverages and foods processed in fluoridated areas because they are
  likely made with fluoridated water.
• In the soil:
  The concentration of fluoride in soils is usually between 200 and 300
  parts per million. However, levels may be higher in areas containing
  fluoride-containing mineral deposits. Higher levels also may be present
  where phosphate fertilizers are used, where coal-fired power plants or
  fluoride-releasing industries are located, or near hazardous waste
  sites. Exposure to fluoride can occur through skin contact with these
  soils.
• In food: While food generally contains
  low levels of fluoride, food grown in areas where soils have high
  amounts of fluoride or where phosphate fertilizers are used may have
  higher levels. Tea and some seafood have been found to have high levels
  of fluoride. Dental products, such as toothpastes, fluoride gels and
  fluoride rinses also contain fluoride. These products are not made to
  be swallowed but are safe when used as directed.
• At work:
  Those who work in industries where fluoride-containing substances are
  used (most notably in the electronics industry where hydrogen fluoride
  may be used to etch glass in TV picture tubes or to clean silicon chips
  and in aluminum and phosphate fertilizer plants) may be exposed to high
  levels of fluoride from breathing in hydrogen fluoride or
  fluoride-containing dust. Exhaust systems or protective masks may help
  protect against this type of contact.

Hydrogen fluoride as a weapon: HF can
be an "agent of opportunity." This means that someone could explode the
vehicle of transportation (truck, train) that is being used to ship the
chemical, or destroy tanks that store the chemical. HF would then be
released into the air.

Please note: Just because you come into contact with hydrogen fluoride does not mean you will get sick from it.

What happens if someone gets sick from hydrogen fluoride?

• Breathing it in: Hydrogen
  fluoride is a very irritating gas. People breathing in hydrogen
  fluoride have complained of eye, nose and skin irritation. Breathing in
  a large amount of HF also can harm the lungs and heart. Kidney and
  testes damage have been observed in animals breathing hydrogen
  fluoride. Large amounts of it can cause death.
• Skin and eyes:
  Hydrofluoric acid can burn the eyes and skin. At first, skin may only
  appear red and may not be painful. Deeper damage to skin may take
  several hours or days, with development of deep, painful wounds. When
  not treated properly, serious skin damage and tissue loss can occur. In
  the worst cases, a large amount of hydrofluoric acid on the skin can
  lead to death caused by the fluoride affecting the lungs or heart.

How likely is someone to die from contact with hydrogen fluoride?

The effects of hydrogen fluoride will depend on the
concentration of exposure, length of time and way the person is
exposed. A highly concentrated solution or large amount in the air is
more likely to cause severe effects, including death.

What is the treatment for hydrogen fluoride poisoning?

• Prevention of illness after contact: First, leave the area where the hydrogen fluoride was released and move to fresh air.

• Remove clothing.

• • Then, quickly take off clothing that may have hydrogen fluoride on it.
    If possible, any clothing that has to be pulled over the head should be
    cut off the body instead so the chemical does not get near the eyes,
    mouth or nose. If helping other people remove their clothing, try to
    avoid touching any contaminated areas.

• Wash affected areas.

• • As quickly as possible, wash any chemical from the skin with lots of soap and water.
  • If the eyes are burning or vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • If contact lenses are worn, remove them and put them with the
    contaminated clothing. Do not put the contacts back in. If eyeglasses
    are worn, wash them with soap and water. Eyeglasses can be put back on
    after they are washed.
  • If you are wearing
    jewelry that you can wash with soap and water, wash it and put it back
    on. If it cannot be washed, put it with the contaminated clothing.

• Discard contaminated items.

• • Place the clothing and any other contaminated items inside a plastic
    bag. Avoid touching contaminated areas of the clothing. If you can't
    avoid touching contaminated areas, or you aren't sure where the
    contaminated areas are, wear rubber gloves or use tongs, sticks or
    similar objects. Anything that touches the contaminated clothing should
    also be placed in the bag.
  • Seal the bag, and then seal that bag inside another plastic bag.
  • Call the local county health department right away. (Visit http://www.idph.state.il.us/local/alpha.htm for a listing of all county health departments in Illinois or check your local phone book.)
  • When the local or state health department or emergency personnel
    arrive, tell them what you did with your clothes. The health department
    or emergency personnel will arrange for further disposal. Do not handle
    the plastic bags yourself.
• Treatment of illness:
  Treatment for HF poisoning consists of washing the chemical off the
  body as soon as possible and providing supportive medical care
  (intravenous fluids, medicine to control pain) in a hospital setting.
  No antidote exists for HF poisoning. People with severe burns should
  seek medical treatment. Medical personnel may use specialized
  calcium-containing antidotes to treat HF poisoning.

Is there a vaccine for hydrogen fluoride poisoning?

No, there is no vaccine for hydrogen fluoride poisoning.

What should be done if someone comes into contact with hydrogen fluoride?

If you think that you or someone you know may have
come into contact with large amounts of hydrogen fluoride, contact the
local county health department right away. (Visit
www.idph.state.il.us//local/alpha.htm for a listing of all county
health departments in Illinois or check your local phone book.)

If you or someone you know is showing symptoms of a
hydrogen fluoride poisoning, call your health care provider or the
Illinois Poison Center right away. The toll-free number for the poison
center is 1-800-222-1222.

Where can one get more information about hydrogen fluoride?

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/hydrofluoricacid/index.asp

Illinois Department of Public Health
http://www.idph.state.il.us

Illinois Poison Center
http://www.IllinoisPoisonCenter.org