Hydrofluoric Acid

• substrate type and size
• film stack
• etch depth/profile desired

HF may NOT be used:

• M-F: from 12 am to 9 am and from 5 pm to midnight
• During the weekend
• When the University is closed (holidays, winter break, snow day, etc)
• When notified by staff

• One must obtain HF bench training (please contact):
• One must reserve the HF wetbench; only one person may reserve the HF bench at any given time

The following personal protective equipment must be used when working with solutions containing hydrofluoric acid (HF):

• shoe covers
• coveralls
• hair cover
• face cover
• safety glasses/goggles
• face shield
• acid apron
• heavy duty nitrile gloves.
Only use plastic beakers; hydrofluoric acid etches glass.

Hydrofluoric acid has a number of chemical, physical, and toxicological properties, which make handling this material especially hazardous. Its solution or its vapors can cause severe burns to tissue and cause serious toxic systemic effects.

Skin, eye, or lung exposure to concentrated (>50%) hydrofluoric acid solutions will cause immediate, severe, penetrating burns. Exposure to less concentrated solutions may have serious health 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.

At the concentrations used in the laboratory you may initially feel no pain after contamination. However, the acid will silently “dig” its way to the bone. When the fluoride ions reach the bone the excruciating pain begins and it is TOO LATE to reverse the considerable tissue damage. At some point, if left untreated, serious injury or death will result.

Washing the affected area with copious amounts of water is not sufficient to prevent damage. The acid will continue to damage your body until you receive medical attention specific to HF burns (including deep injections to neutralize the penetrated acid).

An emergency kit for HF exposures is located on the right wall immediately after you enter the litho area on the right wall. A detailed emergency response procedure is also posted on that wall next to the emergency kit.

HF Skin Exposure

1. Put gloves on before you assist the exposed lab worker. Wear Best® neoprene gloves or N-DEX® 8005 gloves (8 mil) located in the first aid kit. Take the exposed individual to an emergency shower or other water source and flush the contaminated skin with large amounts of cool running water for at least 15 minutes. The exposed individual should remove any potentially contaminated clothing, shoes and jewelry while flushing with water.
2. While exposed individual is being rinsed with water, someone should call for emergency transport. Call Public Safety at 511 and tell the dispatcher the following:
   • There is a person that has been exposed the Hydrofluoric Acid.
   • Location of the exposed individual.
   • Send an officer and ambulance.
   • Ask Public Safety dispatcher to notify the emergency room that an individual with HF burns is on the way.
3. After flushing with water, dry the exposed area(s) and apply calcium gluconate gel.
   • A tube of calcium gluconate gel is located inside the HF exposure kit.
   • Note the time when the calcium gluconate gel was first applied to the exposed area(s). Reapply every 20 minutes. Provide this information to the EMS team.
   • In order to prevent cross contamination, the victim should self-apply the calcium gluconate gel. If the exposed individual is unable to self apply, anyone present can apply the gel after putting on the Best® neoprene gloves or the N-Dex® 8005 gloves (8 mil) found in the HF first aid kit. Do not use latex gloves; they are not effective against HF.
4. Have the exposed individual wear the disposable coveralls.
5. The exposed individual must be escorted to the hospital by the EMTs.
6. A copy of the MSDS and Health Hazard information from the first aid kit must also be taken to the hospital.
7. Contact EHRS office at 215-898-4453 (8:00 am to 5:00 pm) or call the emergency pager 215-308-5266 (after hours) and report the incident.
8. Do not attempt to clean up the spilled HF. Wait for EHRS assistance.

HF Exposure to the Eyes

1. Decontaminate in the eye was for at least 15 minutes holding both eye lids open for irrigation.
2. While exposed individual is being rinsed with water, someone should call for emergency transport. Call Public Safety at 511 and tell the dispatcher the following:
   • There is a person that has been exposed the Hydrofluoric Acid.
   • Location of the exposed individual.
   • Send an officer and ambulance.
   • Ask Public Safety dispatcher to notify HUP ER that an individual with HF burns is on the way.
3. Self-administer calcium gluconate gel to any exposed areas of the FACE. If the exposed individual is unable to self apply, anyone present can apply the gel after putting on the Best® neoprene gloves or the N-Dex® 8005 gloves (8 mil) found in the HF first aid kit. Do not use latex gloves; they are not effective against HF.
4. The exposed individual must be escorted to the hospital by the EMTs.
5. A copy of the MSDS and Health Hazard information from the first aid kit must also be taken to the hospital.
6. Contact EHRS office at 215-898-4453 (8AM to 5PM) or call the emergency pager 215-308-5266 (after hours) and report the incident.
7. Do not attempt to clean up the spilled HF. Wait for EHRS assistance.

HF Inhalation

1. Remove the exposed person to fresh air – only if it is safe to do so.
2. Call Public Safety at 511 and tell the dispatcher the following:
   • There is a person that has been exposed the Hydrofluoric Acid.
   • Location of the exposed individual.
   • Send an officer and ambulance.
   • Ask Public Safety dispatcher to notify HUP ER that an individual with HF exposure is on the way.
3. The exposed individual must be escorted to the hospital by the EMTs.
4. A copy of the MSDS and Health Hazard information from the first aid kit must also be taken to the hospital.
5. Contact EHRS office at 215-898-4453 (8AM to 5PM) or call the emergency pager 215-308-5266 (after hours) and report the incident.
6. Do not attempt to clean up any spilled HF. Wait for EHRS assistance.