Hydrofluoric Acid

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) has a number of physical, chemical, and toxicological properties that make it especially hazardous to handle. Hydrofluoric acid is a clear, colorless, and highly corrosive liquid. HF shares the corrosive properties common to mineral acids, but possesses the unique ability to cause deep tissue damage and systemic toxicity including cardiac arrest due to hypocalcemia. Symptoms from exposure to dilute solutions can be delayed for a number of hours even though tissue damage may be occurring. Learn more about important precautions to take when working with HF.