Hydrofluoric acid

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is one of the most corrosive substances used in labs. In its concentrated form (70%), it gives off fumes when exposed to air.

Health risks

Even diluted HF can be extremely dangerous. Unlike other acids, dilute HF can react with tissue and bone without significant pain at first. Health risks include:

• Skin contact: High concentrations cause pain and whitening of the skin and can cause corrosive burns, visible tissue destruction, areas of ulceration and necrosis. Lower concentrations can damage skin and tissue without visible signs.
• Eye contact: Eye exposure can cause pain, red eyes, eyelid spasms and corneal damage.
• Ingestion: Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain. Severe cases can lead to shock, convulsions or death.
• Inhalation: Inhalation can cause coughing or choking. Severe exposure may lead to breathing difficulties, muscle spasms or death.

Risk management

At 0.1% concentration or more, HF is classified as a hazardous substance, a dangerous good (Class 8, Subsidiary Risk 6.1) and a scheduled poison (Schedule 5, 6 or 7 depending on concentration).

Classification	Pictograms
Acute toxicity, Oral (Category 2), H300 Acute toxicity, Inhalation (Category 2), H330 Acute toxicity, Dermal (Category 1), H310
Skin corrosion/irritation (Category 1), H314
Serious eye damage/eye irritation (Category 1), H318	–

Before using HF

You’ll need to:

• complete a risk assessment
• complete the HF training
• contact HSW if you’re unsure about potential exposure risks.

First aid

Being exposed to HF is a medical emergency. Begin first aid immediately and call both:

• 000 for ambulance
• 333 for Monash Security.

Keep applying first aid until medical help arrives. Anyone providing first aid must wear appropriate PPE to avoid secondary exposure. Check the First Aid Procedure for more information.

Once the ambulance arrives, a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and calcium gluconate gel must be brought to the hospital with the person who was exposed to HF.

Need help?

For more information, contact the Health, Safety & Wellbeing team at hsw@monash.edu.

Procedures and resources

• First Aid Procedure (pdf)
• Storing dangerous goods in labs, studios and workshops (pdf, 87KB)
• Purchase and storage of scheduled poisons (pdf, 59KB).