MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 02050

1. Chemical Product and Contact Information

Revised: 5/1/94

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Product Name: Hydrofluoric Acid Solution

LECO Corporation 3000 Lakeview St. Joseph, MI, 49085 Information: 269-983-5531 Chemtrec: 800-424-9300 (Chemtrec Int'l: 202-483-2616)
2. Composition/Information on Ingredients
CAS No. 7664-39-3 7732-18-5 OSHA PEL (mg/m3) Not avail. 8 hr TWA Not estab. ACGIH Other 3 TLV (mg/m ) Limits Not avail. Not estab.

P/N:769-465

Component Hydrofluoric Acid as Fluoride Water

Typical % by Weight 2 98

3.

Hazard Identification EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

Moderate spill hazard. Clear liquid with acrid odor.

Potential Health Effects

EYES: Irritation with discomfort, tearing, or blurring of vision; contact may cause severe corrosion; painful deep-seated and slow-healing burns and ulcers. SKIN: Latent skin burns with necrosis can occur even at concentrations of 2%. The fluoride ion readily penetrates the skin and deep tissue causing destruction of soft tissue and decalcification of bone. Tissue destruction and neutralization of HF proceed for days. INHALATION: May cause fluid accumulation in the lungs. Overexposure can kidney and liver damage. INGESTION: Ingestion of the liquid may cause severe burns to the mouth and tissues of the upper gastrointestinal tract with severe pain, bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, and collapse of blood pressure. MEDICAL CONDITIONS AGGRAVATED: Not available. CHRONIC OVEREXPOSURE: Prolonged overexposure to vapors can cause fluorosis. ACUTE OVEREXPOSURE: Overexposure by inhalation to concentrated hydrogen fluoride vapors can cause pulmonary edema and death within 2 to 3 hours. CARCINOGENICITY: None observed.

P/N: 769-465

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 02050

4. First Aid Measures

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Speed in removing HF from skin or eyes is of primary importance. First aid must be started immediately, within seconds, in all cases of contact with hydrofluoric acid in any form. First aid actions should be planned before beginning work with HF. Calcium gluconate gel should be readily accessible in areas where HF exposure potential exists. EYES: IMMEDIATELY flush eyes with large quantities of water for 5 minutes while holding the eyelids apart. Trained personnel should apply calcium gluconate 1% (no stronger) by continuous drip. THE EYES WILL REQUIRE FURTHER TREATMENT - SEE MEDICAL NOTE. Get medical assistance immediately. SKIN: IMMEDIATELY FLUSH. Flushing with water thoroughly for five minutes is sufficient to effectively remove HF from skin; further time will delay treatment and is probably unnecessary. Apply calcium gluconate (2.5%) gel at burn site or area of contamination by rubbing in continuously. Wear impervious gloves. Examination and treatment by a physician is recommended as quickly as feasible. Concentrated HF causes immediate pain, but dilute HF solutions may not cause redness, burning or pain until several minutes or even hours have elapsed. Get medical assistance immediately. INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY remove the patient to an uncontaminated atmosphere. Call a physician. Administer oxygen as soon as possible. Trained personnel should provide calcium gluconate, 2.5% soluion, by nebulizer with patient in the sitting position. Keep patient warm. Get medical assistance immediately. INGESTION: DO NOT induce vomiting. Immediately drink water to dilute the acid, followed by milk of magnesia. Call a physician. Throat burns may cause severe swelling and require a tracheotomy (opening the windpipe). The patient should be admitted to the hospital and carefully attended. Get medical assistance immediately.

5.

Fire Fighting Measures

FLAMMABLE PROPERTIES: Non-flammable. Flash Point: None. Method Used: Not applicable. Flammable Limits (% by Volume in Air): Lower: None. Upper: None. AUTO-IGNITION TEMPERATURE: Not applicable. HAZARDOUS COMBUSTION PRODUCTS: Not available. EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: Water fog, carbon dioxide or dry chemical. FIREFIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS: Hydrofluoric acid (particularly in dilute aqueous solutions) will attack most metals, releasing potentially explosive hydrogen gas. Follow NFPA codes. Keep upwind. If there is any possibility of direct contact, wear full acid suit with hood, boots and selfcontained breathing apparatus. Do not get water into acid tanks - generates heat. Run-off from fire control may cause pollution; neutralize with lime.

6.

Accidental Release Measures

SMALL SPILL: Dike spill. Dilute with water; neutralize with lime. Comply with Federal, State and local regulations on reporting releases.

P/N: 769-465

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 02050

7. Handling and Storage

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HANDLING: Keep away from heat, sparks or flame. Keep container tightly closed. Drainage facilities should be constructed for containment of small spills. HF may react with steel, forming iron fluorides. During storage tank draining, iron fluoride particles may be released which, if inhaled, may cause lung damage. Iron fluoride scale reacts with water to produce HF, which may cause delayed burns when skin or eye contact occurs. STORAGE: Keep container closed. During storage tank draining, iron fluoride particles may be released which, if inhaled, may cause lung damage.

8.

Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

ENGINEERING CONTROLS: Ventilation sufficient to keep vapor concentations below the exposure limit. RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: If exposure limits exceeded, wear NIOSH/MSHA approved respiratory protection. SKIN AND HAND PROTECTION: Have and wear as appropriate: neoprene rubber gauntlet gloves, boots, and neoprene or vinyl jacket or pants. The highest degree of protection, used for large leaks or in an emergency situation, is provided by a fully encapsulating acid resistant suit (one piece construction) with an independent air supply. Wash protective clothing and equipment under a safety shower after exposure, or suspected exposure, to hydrofluoric acid. EYE AND FACE PROTECTION: Wear chemical splash goggles. In addition, where the possibility exists for face contact due to splashing or spraying of material, wear a full-length face shield/chemical splash goggle combination. OTHER PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: Safety shower, eye wash station, 2.5% calcium gluconate gel, 10% calcium gluconate ampules, 1% calcium gluconate in normal, sterile saline solution, 2.5% calcium gluconate in normal, sterile saline solution, milk of magnesia.

9.

Physical and Chemical Properties

(Most information is for pure HF, solution is only 2%) APPEARANCE: Clear, fuming liquid. BOILING POINT: 67.1 F. (19.5 C.) @ 760 mm Hg FREEZE-MELT POINT: -118.3 F. (-83.5 C.) VAPOR PRESSURE (mm): 775 mm Hg at 68 F. (20 C.). VAPOR DENSITY (air = 1): 3.0 @ 77 F. (25 C.). SOLUBILITY IN WATER: 100% soluble. SPECIFIC GRAVITY: ~1 at 32 F. (0 C.). pH: -2.0 @ 2% aqueous solution. ODOR: Acrid. PERCENT VOLATILES: Not available EVAPORATION RATE (Butyl Acetate = 1): > 1.0.

P/N: 769-465

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 02050

10. Stability and Reactivity

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CHEMICAL STABILITY: Stable if stored in proper container. INCOMPATIBILITY: Reacts violently with water and alkaline solutions; with cyanides to give toxic hydrogen cyanide; with sulfides to give toxic hydrogen sulfide. Also corrodes glass and ceramics. HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS: Will not occur. HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION: Non-hazardous endothermic polymerization may occur in the gaseous state.

11.

Toxicological Information
Embryotoxicity was observed in animals exposed by inhalation, but only at levels that were maternally toxic. Studies show that HF causes heritable genetic damage in insects. No acceptable animal test reports are available to define developmental or reproductive toxicity.

12. 13.

Ecological Information
The estimated 96-hour LC50 is 1-50 ppm.

Disposal Consideration
Comply with Federal, State and local regulations. If approved, may be flushed to sewer to waste treatment plant, or transferred to a disposal contractor.

14. 15.

Transportation Information
U.S.A. DOT: Hydrofluoric Acid Solution, Class 8 (Corrosive), UN 1790, IMCO Class 8, Page 8184.

Regulatory Information

U.S. FEDERAL REGULATIONS: TSCA STATUS: On Toxic Substance Control Inventory. CERCLA REPORTABLE QUANTITY: Hydrofluoric Acid 100 lbs. SARA TITLE III: Section 302 Extremely Hazardous Substances: Hydrofluoric acid, 2%. Section 311/312 Hazardous Categories: Acute/Chronic/Reactivity. Section 313 Toxic Chemicals: Hydrofluoric acid, 2%. RCRA STATUS: Not regulated INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS: CANADIAN WHMIS: D-1A, E

16.

Other Information

Hazard Index: (0 - 4, 4 = Extreme) Health: 3 Fire: 0

Prepared By:

Reactivity: 2

Duane Ostenson
Information herein is given in good faith as authoritative and valid; however, no warranty, expressed or implied can be made.

P/N: 769-465

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 02050 Hydrofluoric Acid

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Medical Note
Choice of therapy following first aid measures is at the discretion of attending physician. Selection of the best treatment will depend on the following factors:

Concentration and temperature of the HF Degree and extent of the burn Duration of exposure Areas of the body affected Elapsed time since exposure First aid measures taken before physician's arrival Age and clinical history of patient General condition of the patient

The following methods, using materials listed under Protective Equipment, have been effective in treatment of HF burns. Methods are broken down by routes of exposure. Minor exposures are limited exposures to HF liquid and vapor. Major exposures are extensive exposures to HF liquid and vapor and all cases of combined routes of exposure, e.g., skin and inhalation exposures. Patients suffering suspected face or chest skin exposure should be assumed to have incurred inhalation exposure as well. In all cases of major exposure by HF, hypocalcemia may be present; therefore, calcium levels must be determined immediately upon arrival at the hospital. During hospitalization, calcium levels should be monitored frequently. If possible, blood should be drawn for serum calcium in site medical facility and sent to the hospital with the patient. Cardiac monitoring (EKG) is necessary (hypocalcemia causes prolonged Q-T interval and may cause cardiac rhythm abnormalities). Renal and liver function should be monitored. In major inhalation exposure, pulmonary edema or edema of upper airway may occur. Blood gases should be monitored accordingly. SKIN CONTACT: Topically applied Calcium Gluconate Gel (2.5%) must be rubbed into all burn areas continuously until pain has completely subsided, but not longer than thirty minutes. Calcium gluconate gel should not be used until after thorough and complete washing of the skin with water for 5 minutes. If pain continues for longer than 30 minutes, proceed with calcium gluconate topical injections. Care should be taken to see that the personnel who apply the gloves to prevent skin contamination with HF and the development of hand burns. Calcium Gluconate Topical Injections: When there is evidence of skin penetration as in second or third degree burns, a 5% calcium gluconate solution (standard ampule of 10% calcium gluconate for intravenous use must be diluted to 5% by mixing with an equal amount of normal sterile saline) may be injected by infiltrating the skin and subcutaneous tissues in the same manner as injection of any local anesthetic. Use stainless steel needles. Care should be taken to avoid overdosing with calcium. All skin which has been exposed should be infiltrated including up to 1/4 inch (6 mm) around area. This may prevent development of severe burns. Use of a local anesthetic is contraindicated since pain is indicative of response to treatment. Burns around the fingernail area may require splitting the nail from the distal end in order to relieve pain and facilitate draining. In cases of overexposure due to HF, as in skin burns of greater than approximately 25 square inches (160 cm2) in area, hypocalcemia may be present. Therefore, systemic administration of calcium gluconate may be necessary. Frequent monitoring of serum calcium, cardiac, renal and hepatic functions is necessary. EYE CONTACT: Immediate rapid washing of the eyes with large quantities of water for 5 minutes should be followed by continuous drip of 1% calcium gluconate (no stronger) in normal, sterile saline. No oils or ointments should be used.

P/N: 769-465

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET 02050

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Inflammation may be decreased by the use of corticosteroid solutions for ophthalmic use. An eye specialist should be consulted immediately. VAPOR INHALATION: Persons suspected of having had HF exposure by inhalation should immediately be given 100% oxygen by mask or catheter. As soon as possible (as precautionary treatment), they should be administered (in the sitting position and utilizing a nebulizer) 2.5% calcium gluconate solution by inhalation for 20 minutes. All those suspected of HF exposure and who experience signs and/or symptoms of respiratory irritation should be considered as strong candidates for admission to an intensive care unit for careful observation during the first 24-48 hours. Delayed pulmonary edema is likely in patients with burns of the skin of face or neck. Patient should be carefully watched for edema of the upper airway with respiratory obstruction and the airway maintained by tracheotomy or endotracheal intubation if necessary. The administration of 2.5% calcium gluconate by inhalation. Toxicity from pulmonary absorption of fluoride ion may repidly develop in the liver and kidneys and may require more energetic measures of control, up to an including hemodialysis, particularly if the blood urea nitrogen and potassium levels rise. Supportive care is necessary for all organ systems. INGESTION: Refer to First Aid Measures as described. Gastric lavage with lime water or milk may be performed, but only by a physician. Treatment is the same as for ingestion of other strong acids.

P/N: 769-465