A REVIEW OF THE INHALATION TOXICITY OF HYDROGEN FLUORIDE David P. Kelly Haskell Laboratory, DuPont Company Newark, DE 19714 USA The purpose of this talk is to review the toxicity of hydrogen fluoride especially as it pertains to health risks from accidental exposures. Although a weak acid, i.e., it is not strongly disassociated, is used to etch glass. 1934], the original IDLH for hydrogen fluoride (30 ppm) is not being revised at this time. Fluoride is deposited in the bone (fluorosis), and may cause pain and stiffness in joints and limbs. Human exposure to HF can result in severe cutaneous manifestations as well as devastating systemic effects. All people who will be in the room while HF is in use must have completed training. At high levels, fluorides can result in tooth and bone damage. Hydrogen fluoride is listed on Annex I of Directive 67/548/EEC with R26/27/28 classification ('Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed'). Like it’s sister, HCl acid, it reacts with water with the release of heat and can cause burns on the skin. Effects may be delayed from 1 to 24 hours. Hydrogen fluoride will rapidly and extensively dissociate in the environmnet to form its constituent ions: hydrogen (hydronium) and fluoride. When combined with water, it is known as hydrofluoric acid. Basis for revised IDLH: Based on acute inhalation toxicity data in humans [Deichmann and Gerarde 1969; Largent 1961] and animals [Machle et al. There is inconclusive animal data about toxic effects to a fetus. (A HAZARD AND RISK ANALYSIS) William .I. No data are available for acute oral toxicity. Low levels of fluorides can help prevent dental cavities. Warning: Hydrogen fluoride is highly corrosive. Hydrogen fluoride gas will be absorbed by rain and into clouds and fog to form hydrofluoric acid, which will fall to the ground. Its worst-case disaster scenario includes 143,262 pounds of hydrogen fluoride released over 10 minutes, which could travel as a toxic cloud for more than 7 … HYDROGEN FLUORIDE: HOW TOXIC IS TOXIC? Hydrogen fluoride and fluorine are naturally-occurring gases that are very irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Inhalation Hydrogen fluoride (HF) is an extremely toxic substance commonly used in many industries such as textiles, pesticides, and semiconductors. Hydrogen fluoride is a severe poison that may immediately and permanently damage lungs and the corneas of the eyes. Hydrogen fluoride is a gas which when in solution with water forms hydrofluoric acid, HF. It is also used as rust remover and in glass etching, metal cleaning, and petroleum processing. Hydrogen Fluoride is a very toxic chemical with serious long-term health consequences. Oral ingestion has very high mortality rate; Onset and severity of symptoms correlated with concentration Dilute solutions (<20%) may have delayed onset up to 24hr post-exposure Before any HF Use. Hydrogen fluoride (HF) is a byproduct of standard fire suppression systems. Brock Haskell Lahoratory, DuPont Company Newark, DE 19714 USA The purpose ofthis presentation is to review the toxicity of hydrogen fluoride (HF) especially ;IS it relates to health risks from accidental exposures, and review certain exposure limits that have been established for accidental releases. There is no evidence that hydrogen fluoride exposure causes cancer. The toxicity of the hydrogen (hydronium) ion will be apparent only at very high concentrations due to pH effects and is not considered to be relevant for the environmental risk assessment. Caution is advised. Fluorides are naturally occurring compounds. 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