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HF Safety TrainingHF Safety Training

Environment, Health & SafetyEnvironment, Health & Safety220 Winspear Avenue220 Winspear Avenue

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OverviewOverview

Chemical and physical informationChemical and physical information Exposure Limits Exposure Limits HazardsHazards Working safely with HFWorking safely with HF Accidents and exposuresAccidents and exposures References/ResourcesReferences/Resources

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OverviewOverview Similar to other acids: Similar to other acids:

• Fuming liquid, very strong respiratory irritant Fuming liquid, very strong respiratory irritant and corrosive to skinand corrosive to skin

• Moderately high vapor pressure Moderately high vapor pressure Unlike other acids: Unlike other acids:

• Deeply penetrating; symptoms can be Deeply penetrating; symptoms can be delayed for hoursdelayed for hours

• Dilute solutions can cause serious, painful Dilute solutions can cause serious, painful delayed burnsdelayed burns

• Splashes of 100-200 ml of concentrated Splashes of 100-200 ml of concentrated solutions on the body have caused solutions on the body have caused fatalitiesfatalities

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Chemical & Physical PropertiesChemical & Physical Properties

Common concentrations range from 2%-100% Common concentrations range from 2%-100% (anhydrous)(anhydrous)

Clear, colorless liquid OR dense white vaporClear, colorless liquid OR dense white vapor Highly corrosiveHighly corrosive Non-flammableNon-flammable Odor threshold 0.04 to 0.13 ppm Odor threshold 0.04 to 0.13 ppm Intolerable, pungent odorIntolerable, pungent odor Boiling Point @ 67 °F (19.5°C)

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Chemical & Physical PropertiesChemical & Physical Properties

Reactivity: Reactivity: • Will attack & dissolveWill attack & dissolve glass, ceramics, leather, glass, ceramics, leather,

natural gum rubber and metals containing natural gum rubber and metals containing silicasilica

• May react with metals to form explosive May react with metals to form explosive hydrogen gashydrogen gas

• Can react violently with other organics and Can react violently with other organics and solvents (check compatibility)solvents (check compatibility)

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Exposure LimitsExposure Limits

Exposure LimitsExposure Limits::• TLV-TLV- 3ppm (Ceiling)3ppm (Ceiling)• PEL- 3ppm (TWA)PEL- 3ppm (TWA)• STEL-STEL- 6ppm (15 min.)6ppm (15 min.)• IDLH-IDLH- 30ppm30ppm

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HazardsHazards

H B r E xp osu re

B rea th in g inV ap ors

In h a la tion

S k in o r E yeC on tac t

A b sorp tion

A cc id en ta l In takeB y C on tam in a ted

F ood o r H an d s

In g es tion

R ou tes o fE xp osu re

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HazardsHazards A major exposure to concentrated HF can

bind the body's calcium stores from the bones, causing seizures, bone destruction and death.

Injuries are dependent on concentration and route of exposure.

Injuries from dilute HF may be delayed up to 24 hours; there may be no pain immediately following exposure.

Relief of pain is an important guide to success of treatment.

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Inhalation HazardsInhalation Hazards

Mild Exposure (3-15 ppm):Mild Exposure (3-15 ppm):• Irritation of nose, throat, respiratory system. Irritation of nose, throat, respiratory system.

Onset may be delayed.Onset may be delayed.• Shortness of breath, coughing and labored Shortness of breath, coughing and labored

breathing.breathing. Severe Exposure:Severe Exposure:

• Nose, throat burns, edema, spasm, swelling, Nose, throat burns, edema, spasm, swelling, lung inflammation and pulmonary edema. lung inflammation and pulmonary edema. Hypocalcemia possibleHypocalcemia possible..

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Absorption HazardsAbsorption Hazards

Eye:Eye:• Liquid and vapor can cause irritation, corneal burns Liquid and vapor can cause irritation, corneal burns

and destruction of eye tissues.and destruction of eye tissues. Skin:Skin:

• SERIOUS, PAINFUL BURNS TO SKIN. SERIOUS, PAINFUL BURNS TO SKIN. • Immediate effect upon exposure to strong concentra-Immediate effect upon exposure to strong concentra-

tion (>50%) and vapors; symptoms may not show for tion (>50%) and vapors; symptoms may not show for 8 hrs. if concentration in 20% to 50% range.8 hrs. if concentration in 20% to 50% range.

• May have 24 hr. latency for exposures to <20% May have 24 hr. latency for exposures to <20% concentration. concentration.

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Ingestion HazardsIngestion Hazards

Acute exposure:Acute exposure:

• Severe burns to mouth, esophagus and Severe burns to mouth, esophagus and stomach.stomach.

• Severe systemic effects also possible.Severe systemic effects also possible.

• INGESTION OF EVEN SMALL INGESTION OF EVEN SMALL AMOUNTS OF HF MAY BE FATAL.AMOUNTS OF HF MAY BE FATAL.

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Working Safely with HFWorking Safely with HF

Work in the fume hoodWork in the fume hood Transport containers and pour Transport containers and pour

CAREFULLYCAREFULLY ADD ACID TO WATERADD ACID TO WATER Make sure fume hood is working Make sure fume hood is working

properly – keep sash downproperly – keep sash down Wear PPEWear PPE

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PPE - EyewearPPE - Eyewear

Safety glassesSafety glasses Goggles (splash-proof)Goggles (splash-proof) Face shieldsFace shields Store in an area where they Store in an area where they

can remain free of can remain free of contamination and damage contamination and damage (drawer or plastic bag)(drawer or plastic bag)

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PPE - GlovesPPE - Gloves

Wear appropriate gloves Wear appropriate gloves (Butyl rubber, Saranex, or (Butyl rubber, Saranex, or Tychem. Neoprene, Viton, Tychem. Neoprene, Viton, Polyethylene, Natural Rubber Polyethylene, Natural Rubber for short times for short times onlyonly))

Check for leaks each time Check for leaks each time used - change as needed used - change as needed (inner/outer) (inner/outer)

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PPE - Chemical Resistant ClothingPPE - Chemical Resistant Clothing

Chemical apronsChemical aprons Lab coatsLab coats CoverallsCoveralls Rubber bootsRubber boots Closed toed shoesClosed toed shoes NoNo shorts shorts Clothes that cover the bodyClothes that cover the body

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Safety EquipmentSafety Equipment

All lab personnel should know where to All lab personnel should know where to find – and how to use:find – and how to use:• Eyewash and safety showerEyewash and safety shower• Spill kitSpill kit• First-aid kit – calcium gluconate, glovesFirst-aid kit – calcium gluconate, gloves• Fire extinguisherFire extinguisher

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Emergency NumbersEmergency Numbers

Should be posted near the phoneShould be posted near the phone Provide a list of who to call in emergencies Provide a list of who to call in emergencies

and their numbersand their numbers 645-2222 on campus phones645-2222 on campus phones

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Written References – Chemical Written References – Chemical Inventory and MSDSInventory and MSDS

Each lab should have a Chemical Inventory Each lab should have a Chemical Inventory and Chemical Hygiene Planand Chemical Hygiene Plan

For each hazardous chemical, the lab should For each hazardous chemical, the lab should have an MSDS have an MSDS

Lab personnel must know the locationLab personnel must know the location Provide copy to emergency personnelProvide copy to emergency personnel

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Storage and Compatibility of HFStorage and Compatibility of HF

Store in a cool, dry place, away from Store in a cool, dry place, away from light and ignition sourceslight and ignition sources

DO NOTDO NOT store HF in glass container – store HF in glass container – use plastic or teflonuse plastic or teflon

Keep containers in corrosive-resistant Keep containers in corrosive-resistant secondary containmentsecondary containment

Segregate from incompatible materials, Segregate from incompatible materials, including strong bases, metals, glass, including strong bases, metals, glass, water, cyanideswater, cyanides

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Proper Disposal of HF Acid WasteProper Disposal of HF Acid Waste

Store in sealed plastic/teflon bottles Store in sealed plastic/teflon bottles Do not fill bottles to the topDo not fill bottles to the top Fill out a UB hazardous waste label for each Fill out a UB hazardous waste label for each

bottle when the first drop is addedbottle when the first drop is added Fax EH&S for pickup when bottles fullFax EH&S for pickup when bottles full

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General SafetyGeneral Safety Keep the lab cleanKeep the lab clean Do notDo not eat, drink or store food/drinks in eat, drink or store food/drinks in

work areaswork areas Make sure all containers of HF are properly Make sure all containers of HF are properly

labeledlabeled Keep aisles clearKeep aisles clear Keep eyewashes and Keep eyewashes and

safety showers accessiblesafety showers accessible

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Lab Personnel Exposed to HFLab Personnel Exposed to HF

Contaminated personnel shouldContaminated personnel should::• ACT IMMEDIATELY!!!ACT IMMEDIATELY!!!• Get another person to help if possibleGet another person to help if possible• Remove contaminated clothingRemove contaminated clothing• Flush the affected area of the body for a Flush the affected area of the body for a

minimum of 15 minutes under the nearest minimum of 15 minutes under the nearest safety showersafety shower

• If calcium gluconate is available, flush skin for If calcium gluconate is available, flush skin for 5 minutes and apply5 minutes and apply

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Lab Personnel Exposed to HFLab Personnel Exposed to HF

• If eyes are affected, use the nearest eyewash If eyes are affected, use the nearest eyewash for a minimum of 15 minutesfor a minimum of 15 minutes

• If ingested, dilute with water, milk or milk of If ingested, dilute with water, milk or milk of magnesia – do NOT induce vomitingmagnesia – do NOT induce vomiting

• SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTIONSEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION

• WEAR GLOVES IF YOU HELP SOMEONE WEAR GLOVES IF YOU HELP SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO HFWHO HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO HF

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ReferencesReferences For more information, contact:For more information, contact:

• Your investigator/professor/teacherYour investigator/professor/teacher• EH&S at 829-2401 or www.ehs.buffalo.eduEH&S at 829-2401 or www.ehs.buffalo.edu• Honeywell website - Honeywell website -

http://www.honeywell.com/sites/sm/chemicals/hfacid/http://www.honeywell.com/sites/sm/chemicals/hfacid/Tech_Services.htmTech_Services.htm

• CDC website - CDC website - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/hydrofluoricacid/basics/fhttp://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/hydrofluoricacid/basics/facts.aspacts.asp

• U. of Delaware website - U. of Delaware website - http://www.udel.edu/OHS/hfsop.htmlhttp://www.udel.edu/OHS/hfsop.html

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Questions???Questions???