HF – Hydrofluoric Acid First Aid Training

Hydrofluoric Acid

Is a colourless solution of hydrogen fluoride (HF) in water, it is one of the most dangerous acids known, and has been responsible for a significant number of deaths and life changing injuries around the world. As an acid it is considered to be a weak acid (the only hydrohalic acid that is not considered a strong acid) because of its lower dissociation constant compared to the other strong acids (that is, its propensity to break down relatively easily into component molecules).

What makes Hydrofluoric acid so dangerous is its combination with the Fluoride ion. It is this ion that causes destruction to skin, tissues, bone and possible death. Due to the aggressive fast nature of the acid, pain to the affected area(s) can be delayed from 1-24 hours.

Contact exposure can also cause systemic toxicity by being absorbed into the blood, interfering with the body’s metabolism of calcium, and can cause hypocalcaemia (low calcium levels), hyperkalaemia (high potassium levels) and/or hypomagnesaemia (low magnesium levels) this can occur when as little as 25 square inches of skin have been exposed and can lead to cardiac arrest.

As a gas HF is an acute poison that can immediately and permanently damage lungs and the corneas of the eyes; exposure to the gas can also be fatal.

The Cognet Hydrofluoric Acid First Aid Training course is a half day programme designed to give you the skils and confidence to deal with a first aid emergency involving bodily contact with Hydrofluoric acid in the workplace.