ICSC 0283 - HYDROGEN FLUORIDE

« back to the search result list

HYDROGEN FLUORIDE	ICSC: 0283 (April 2017)
Hydrofluoric acid, anhydrous

CAS #: 7664-39-3

UN #: 1052

EC Number: 231-634-8

	ACUTE HAZARDS	PREVENTION	FIRE FIGHTING
FIRE & EXPLOSION	Not combustible. Many reactions may cause fire or explosion. Risk of fire and explosion on contact with incompatible substances. See Chemical Dangers.	NO contact with incompatible substances. See Chemical Dangers.	In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media. In case of fire: keep cylinder cool by spraying with water. Combat fire from a sheltered position.

AVOID ALL CONTACT! IN ALL CASES CONSULT A DOCTOR! See Notes.
	SYMPTOMS	PREVENTION	FIRST AID
Inhalation	Burning sensation. Sore throat. Cough. Laboured breathing. Shortness of breath. Nausea. Vomiting. Symptoms may be delayed. See Notes.	Use ventilation, local exhaust or breathing protection.	Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer immediately for medical attention.
Skin	MAY BE ABSORBED! Redness. Pain. Serious skin burns. Blisters. See Inhalation.	Protective gloves. Protective clothing. Apron.	Wear protective gloves when administering first aid. Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer immediately for medical attention.
Eyes	Redness. Pain. Severe burns.	Wear face shield or eye protection in combination with breathing protection.	Rinse with plenty of water (remove contact lenses if easily possible). Refer immediately for medical attention.
Ingestion	Burns in mouth and throat. Burning sensation. Abdominal pain. Vomiting. Shock or collapse.	Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work. Wash hands before eating.	Rinse mouth. Give nothing to drink. Do NOT induce vomiting. Refer immediately for medical attention.

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL	CLASSIFICATION & LABELLING
Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Personal protection: gas-tight chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Ventilation. Remove vapour with fine water spray.	According to UN GHS Criteria Fatal if swallowed or if inhaled Causes severe skin burns and eye damage May cause respiratory irritation Causes damage to the bones through prolonged or repeated exposure Harmful to aquatic life Transportation UN Classification UN Hazard Class: 8; UN Subsidiary Risks: 6.1; UN Pack Group: I
STORAGE
Cool. Well closed. Fireproof if in building. Ventilation along the floor. Separated from food and feedstuffs and incompatible materials. Store in an area without drain or sewer access. See Chemical Dangers.
PACKAGING
Do not transport with food and feedstuffs.

HYDROGEN FLUORIDE

ICSC: 0283

PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL INFORMATION
Physical State; Appearance COLOURLESS GAS OR COLOURLESS FUMING LIQUID WITH PUNGENT ODOUR. Physical dangers The gas is heavier than air. See Notes. Chemical dangers The substance is a weak acid. Reacts violently with many compounds. This generates fire and explosion hazard. It reacts violently with bases and is corrosive to most common metals forming a flammable/explosive gas (hydrogen - see ICSC 0001). Attacks glass, some forms of plastic, rubber and coatings.	Formula: HF Molecular mass: 20.0 Boiling point: 20°C Melting point: -83°C Relative density (water = 1): 1.0 (liquid at 4°C) Solubility in water: very good Vapour pressure, kPa at 25°C: 122 Relative vapour density (air = 1): 0.7-2.6 (see Notes)

PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL INFORMATION

Physical State; Appearance
COLOURLESS GAS OR COLOURLESS FUMING LIQUID WITH PUNGENT ODOUR.

Physical dangers
The gas is heavier than air. See Notes.

Chemical dangers
The substance is a weak acid. Reacts violently with many compounds. This generates fire and explosion hazard. It reacts violently with bases and is corrosive to most common metals forming a flammable/explosive gas (hydrogen - see ICSC 0001). Attacks glass, some forms of plastic, rubber and coatings.

Formula: HF
Molecular mass: 20.0
Boiling point: 20°C
Melting point: -83°C
Relative density (water = 1): 1.0 (liquid at 4°C)
Solubility in water: very good
Vapour pressure, kPa at 25°C: 122
Relative vapour density (air = 1): 0.7-2.6 (see Notes)

EXPOSURE & HEALTH EFFECTS
Routes of exposure Serious systemic effects and local effects by all routes of exposure. Effects of short-term exposure The substance is very corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Inhalation of the gas or vapour may cause lung oedema. Inhalation may cause asthma-like reactions (RADS). Exposure could cause asphyxiation due to swelling in the throat. Inhalation may cause pneumonitis. See Notes. Exposure could cause hypocalcemia. The effects may be delayed. Exposure above the OEL could cause death.	Inhalation risk A harmful concentration of this gas in the air will be reached very quickly on loss of containment. Effects of long-term or repeated exposure Fluoride can accumulate in teeth, joints and bones. This may result in stained tooth enamel up to joint and bone disorders (fluorosis).

EXPOSURE & HEALTH EFFECTS

Routes of exposure
Serious systemic effects and local effects by all routes of exposure.

Effects of short-term exposure
The substance is very corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Inhalation of the gas or vapour may cause lung oedema. Inhalation may cause asthma-like reactions (RADS). Exposure could cause asphyxiation due to swelling in the throat. Inhalation may cause pneumonitis. See Notes. Exposure could cause hypocalcemia. The effects may be delayed. Exposure above the OEL could cause death.

Inhalation risk
A harmful concentration of this gas in the air will be reached very quickly on loss of containment.

Effects of long-term or repeated exposure
Fluoride can accumulate in teeth, joints and bones. This may result in stained tooth enamel up to joint and bone disorders (fluorosis).

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS
TLV: (as F): 0.5 ppm as TWA; 2 ppm as STEL; (skin); BEI issued. MAK: (as F): 0.83 mg/m³, 1 ppm; peak limitation category: I(2); pregnancy risk group: C. EU-OEL: 1.5 mg/m³ as TWA; 2.5 mg/m³ as STEL

ENVIRONMENT
The substance is harmful to aquatic organisms.

NOTES
The occupational exposure limit value should not be exceeded during any part of the working exposure. The symptoms of lung oedema often do not become manifest until a few hours have passed and they are aggravated by physical effort. Rest and medical observation are therefore essential. Specific treatment is necessary in case of poisoning with this substance; the appropriate means with instructions must be available. Isolate contaminated clothing by sealing in a bag or other container. Turn leaking cylinder with the leak up to prevent escape of gas in liquid state. UN number for hydrogen fluoride in aqueous solution: 1790, hazard class 8, subsidiary hazard 6.1, pack group I (>60%). See ICSC 1777. There is an association of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride molecules in the vapour and liquid states at normal room temperatures and pressures. The degree of association is dependent on the temperature. Therefore physical constants such as vapour density vary with temperature from 2.6 at 20 °C to 0.7 at 65 °C.

NOTES

The occupational exposure limit value should not be exceeded during any part of the working exposure.
The symptoms of lung oedema often do not become manifest until a few hours have passed and they are aggravated by physical effort. Rest and medical observation are therefore essential.
Specific treatment is necessary in case of poisoning with this substance; the appropriate means with instructions must be available.
Isolate contaminated clothing by sealing in a bag or other container.
Turn leaking cylinder with the leak up to prevent escape of gas in liquid state.
UN number for hydrogen fluoride in aqueous solution: 1790, hazard class 8, subsidiary hazard 6.1, pack group I (>60%).
See ICSC 1777.
There is an association of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride molecules in the vapour and liquid states at normal room temperatures and pressures. The degree of association is dependent on the temperature. Therefore physical constants such as vapour density vary with temperature from 2.6 at 20 °C to 0.7 at 65 °C.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EC Classification
Symbol: T+, C; R: 26/27/28-35; S: (1/2)-7/9-26-36/37/39-45

All rights reserved. The published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Neither ILO nor WHO nor the European Commission shall be responsible for the interpretation and use of the information contained in this material.