What kinds of products contain hydrofluoric acid?
Especially difficult stains, such as rust and water stains on glass and tar on car wheel covers, pose difficult cleaning problems. Many of the agents used to remove these tough stains contain hydrofluoric acid (HF). Hydrofluoric acid is also used in glass etching, dry cleaning (to remove very resistant stains) and in computer component manufacturing. How dangerous is HF? Hydrofluoric acid is extremely potent and dangerous. It can penetrate thick, calloused skin and even fingernails, causing extensive skin burns and scarring. A major exposure to concentrated HF can bind the body’s calcium stores from the bones, causing seizures, bone destruction and death. Inhaling HF fumes can lead to pneumonia. A splash of HF in the eyes can cause destruction of the eye tissues and blindness. What symptoms does hydrofluoric acid cause? Pain is the major symptom. The onset of symptoms and the severity of the damage depend on the amount of exposure and the concentration of the HF. The stronger the conce
