Hydrogen Fluoride (HF)
Hydrogen fluoride (HF) – also known as hydrofluoric acid – can be found in its gaseous form or under its liquid state at ambient temperature. It is mainly used in the petrochemical industry as an alkylation catalyst but also in the pharmaceutical industry (pharmaceutical products synthesis), on construction sites (building facade cleaning) and in surface treatment (pickling) or uranium treatment.
Hydrogen fluoride effects on health
Hydrogen fluoride (HF) is a colourless gas featuring a pungent smell. This gas is very toxic by inhalation (R26), if swallowed (R28) or in contact with the skin (R27). It reacts with water to form hydrofluoric acid, which is verry corrosive and extremely dangerous for the environment – it changes water pH. Even if this gas is not flammable, it reacts with almost any metal in presence of humidity and produce hydrogen (H2) – and highly flammable gas.
