Standard Operating Procedure for Highly Hazardous Chemicals:
Hydrofluoric Acid and Hydrogen Fluoride
Principal Investigator:
Department:
Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:
Lab Phone:
Office Phone:
24-hour Emergency Contact:
Date SOP was written and approved by PI:
Date of last SOP revision by PI
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Section 1 – Hazardous Chemicals
Chemical Name
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CAS Number
Quantity Stored:
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Quantity and units
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Quantity and units
Section 2 – Potential Hazards
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Hydrogen fluoride is a colorless gas and when it dissolved in water forms hydrofluoric acid (HF).
Concentrated hydrofluoric acid is used in the fabrication of electronic components, for etching
glass and in the manufacture of semiconductors. It is also used by geologists to dissolve
sedimentary rock. Dilute hydrofluoric acid solutions are used in some biological staining
procedures.
The most widely known property of HF is its ability to dissolve glass. It will also attack glazes,
enamels, pottery, concrete, rubber, leather, many metals (especially cast iron) and organic
compounds. Upon reaction with metals, explosive hydrogen gas may be formed.
Fluoride ions are both acutely and chronically toxic. Acute effects of HF exposure include extreme
respiratory irritation, immediate and severe eye damage and pulmonary edema. Skin, eye, or lung
exposure to concentrated (>50%) HF solutions will cause immediate, severe, penetrating burns.
HF is absorbed through the skin quickly and is a severe systemic toxin. The fluoride ion binds
calcium in the blood, bones and other organs and causes damage to tissues that is very painful and
often lethal. Exposure to less concentrated solutions may have equally serious effects, but the
appearance of symptoms can be delayed for up to 24 hours. If you are exposed to hydrofluoric acid
seek medical attention immediately, even if you do not feel pain.
Section 3 – Trainings/Approvals Required
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PI or designee must provide training to the laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in
working with hazardous chemicals, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.
The laboratory personnel should attend the trainings, review this SOP and SDS and complete the
documentation of training.
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The trainings should be provided prior to work with hazardous chemicals and annual refresher
thereafter.
The laboratory should maintain supplies for Calcium Gluconate Gel and provide training to the
laboratory personnel for the usage of Calcium Gluconate Gel in case of exposure to hydrofluoric
acid or hydrogen fluoride.
PI or designee is responsible for contacting ROHP ensuring that the antidote is available, properly
stored, not expired, and that all lab personnel have been adequately trained in its proper use.
All personnel using hydrofluoric acid or hydrogen fluoride must meet with ROHP to review the
proper application of the gel.
Section 4 – Designated Area
Storage & Use Location: Enter Building and Room Number(s)
Enter Storage Conditions.
(For example: room temperature, refrigerator, inert atmosphere, glove
Storage Conditions:
box. Please refer to Section 7 for more information on choosing
appropriate storage conditions)
Section 5 – Engineering Controls / Emergency Safety Equipment
Engineering Controls
 All handling and use of hydrofluoric acid must be performed inside a certified chemical fume
hood and with the sash at the lowest possible height for safe usage of reagents.
Emergency Safety Equipment
 An eyewash, safety shower, and ABC fire extinguisher must be available within the work area for
immediate emergency use. All personnel must be aware of their locations prior to working with
highly hazardous chemicals.
 Calcium gluconate gel (2.5%) must be available in the laboratory that handles or stores HF.
Calcium gluconate gel is a topical antidote for HF skin exposure. Calcium gluconate works by
combining with HF to form insoluble calcium fluoride, thus preventing the extraction of calcium
from tissues and bones.
 The lab should develop a system to maintain the Calcium gluconate gel supplies. Replace the
Calcium gluconate gel with a fresh supply just prior to its expiration date noted on the tube and
packaging.
 All persons should be aware of the location and proper application of the gel.
Storage location of Calcium gluconate gel
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Expiration date of Calcium gluconate gel
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Section 6 – Personal Protective Equipment
Eye Protection
 Fully enclosed goggles or a face shield are recommended for work with these chemicals as they
offer greater facial protection than safety glasses.
Hand Protection
 Gloves must be worn when handling hydrofluoric acid. Disposable nitrile gloves should be
adequate for handling most of these in general laboratory settings. If direct or prolonged contact is
anticipated, appropriate chemical-resistant gloves should be used. A Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
should be reviewed if handling may involve extended or high exposure to lab personnel to ensure
adequate skin protection is provided.
Skin and Body Protection
 Protection equipment against chemicals such as lab coats is required. Full length pants or
equivalent as well as closed toe shoes must be worn. Long-sleeved clothing, lab coat or apron is
advised if more than normal handling operations could be expected.
Section 7 – Special Handling Procedures and Storage Requirements
Precautions for safe handling
• Do not work alone when working with highly hazardous chemicals. All colleagues in the area
should be made aware of the hazards with the project.
• Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid inhalation of vapor or mist.
• Inform others in the laboratory about your usage of highly hazardous chemicals.
• HF must be used in polyethylene, polypropylene, Teflon, wax, lead, or platinum containers. HF
reacts with glass, ceramics, and some metals. Do not use glass, ceramic or other incompatible
containers with HF.
• Get familiar with the storage location and usage of Calcium Gluconate Gel (Hydrofluoric Acid
Exposure Kit). Before beginning work involving HF, an exposure kit should be available and
located in the laboratory area.
 It is recommended that all lab personnel, not just those who will be using hydrofluoric acid, must
be informed of the dangers of this chemical and the emergency procedures necessary in case of an
accident.
Storage requirements
 Store in the original container. Store in corrosive resistant polyethylene container with a resistant
inner liner.
 Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers that are opened must be
carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Ensure that manufacturer’s labels and
warnings remain intact.
 Store in lower shelf in cabinet or other location where it will not be accidentally spilled or knocked
over. Store in plastic secondary containment.
 Purchase only the smallest amounts necessary for your work, and discard old materials promptly.
Reagents should be periodically examined to ensure containers are in good condition.
 Storage requirements will depend on the specific chemical being stored. Check Safety Data Sheets
for incompatibilities when storing chemicals.
 Avoid storing the material by exits.
Transport requirements
 Transportation of hazardous chemicals should follow the guidelines for chemicals as described in the BU
Chemical Hygiene Plan. For bulk transport, chemicals should be transported using a clean cart. The
materials themselves must be in sealed containers, clearly labeled with the contents name and
applicable hazard classification(s).
Section 8 – Spill and Accident Procedures
Emergency procedures for chemical exposure
 All exposure to or contact with HF must receive immediate first aid and medical evaluation
even if the injury appears minor or there is no sense of pain. HF can produce delayed effects and
serious tissue damage without necessarily producing pain. Symptoms may be delayed up to 24
hours depending on the concentration of HF.
 Remove any contaminated clothing as quickly as possible.
 Flush any exposed skin or hair with water for at least 15 minutes. Do not hesitate in activating a
safety shower.
 After decontamination with water, further damage can occur due to penetration/absorption of the
fluoride ion. Treatment should be directed toward binding the fluoride ion as well as the effects of
exposure.
 Skin exposures can be treated with a 2.5% calcium gluconate gel repeated until burning ceases.
Apply generous amounts of calcium gluconate gel to the area. Gently massage the gel into the
contaminated areas while wearing two layers of protective gloves. White specks appearing around
the burned region indicates the formation of calcium fluoride and that the gel is working. Gently
apply the gel for 15 minutes and reapply when the pain flares up. Immediately contact ROHP at
617-414-7647. After hours, call 353-2121 (CRC) or 414-4444 (BUMC/BMC) to go to the
Emergency Room.
 More serious skin exposures may require subcutaneous calcium gluconate treatment performed by
a physician. Absorption can readily occur through the subungual areas and should be considered
when undergoing decontamination.
 Prevention of absorption of the fluoride ion in cases of ingestion can be obtained by giving milk,
chewable calcium carbonate tablets or Milk of Magnesia to conscious victims. Conditions such as
hypocalcemia, hypomagnesaemia and cardiac arrhythmias should be monitored for, since they can
occur after exposure.
 For chemical exposure to the eye, flush with water for at least 15 minutes at an emergency
eyewash station. Hold eyelids open while flushing. Continue rinsing eyes during transport to
hospital. Do not apply calcium gluconate gel to the eyes.
 If HF is ingested, contact medical help. Do not induce vomiting. If conscious, have the injured
person ingest a glass of milk or milk of magnesia. If vomiting occurs naturally, help the person so
they do not choke on the vomit.
 If HF vapor is inhaled, move the person to fresh air and seek medical attention at once.
Emergency procedures for chemical spill or accident
 Remove personnel from the immediate area. Do not attempt to handle a large spill/reaction/fire, or
one in which you are not trained or equipped for. Turn off all ignition sources if this can be done
safely, vacate the area, and call for assistance.
 For small HF spills inside a chemical fume hood, contain the spillage and carefully neutralize the
spill with (i) commercial caustic neutralizer found in spill kits in corridors, (ii) caustic soda, (iii)
powdered calcium carbonate, (iv) calcium hydroxide, or (v) a commercial HF spill kit.
 Follow the reporting procedures on the Emergency Flip Chart.
Section 9 – Waste Disposal
 HF waste shall be placed in a chemically compatible container (e.g. polyethylene or Teflon) with a
sealed lid and clearly labeled. Do not store HF waste in glass or metal containers.
 All waste and contaminated disposables should be disposed of as hazardous waste, including
labeling as hazardous waste and use of secondary containment.
 Waste disposal requests should be directed to EHS at
http://www.bu.edu/ehs/services/waste/chemical-waste/.
Section 10 – Lab Specific Changes
Laboratory-Specific
Procedures:
Describe any deviation from the recommended practices in the SOP
Documentation of Training
Print this page (multiple copies as needed) and insert into your Chemical Safety
Logbook, under the Personnel and User Certification section.
The laboratory personnel should attend annual training sessions, review this SOP and
SDS, and sign the training form. Signature of all users is required.
I have read and understand the content of the referenced SOP:
Name (please print)
Signature
Date