Chemical emergency preparedness and prevention advisory: Hydrogen fluoride, series 8, No. 3
The advisory recommends ways Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) and chemical facilities can reduce risks posed by the presence of hydrogen fluoride (HF) in their communities. Hydrogen fluoride, a strong inorganic acid, is produced and used as a gas or liquid without water (i.e., in anhydrous form), or in a water (aqueous) solution. Inhalation of hydrogen fluoride vapor, either in anhydrous form or from water solutions, can cause irritation if the exposure is mild (i.e., low concentration in air for a short time), or severe damage to the respiratory system or death in the case of exposure to high concentrations. Contact with the liquid or vapor can severely burn the skin, eyes, and other tissue. The largest use of hydrogen fluoride is in the manufacture of fluorine-containing chemicals, particularly chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Hydrogen fluoride may be used in some petroleum refinery operations, aluminum production, nuclear applications, glass etching and polishing, and metal treating and cleaning. Hydrogen fluoride's acute toxicity prompted EPA to list it as an extremely hazardous substance (EHS), with a threshold planning quantity (TPQ) of 100 pounds, under Section 302 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (commonly known as SARA Title III).
- Research Organization:
- Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (United States). Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
- OSTI ID:
- 5798895
- Report Number(s):
- PB-93-234797/XAB; EPA-550/K-93/001
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: See also PB--86-155264
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHEMICAL SPILLS
EMERGENCY PLANS
HYDROFLUORIC ACID
RISK ASSESSMENT
AIR POLLUTION
ALUMINIUM
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
CLEAN AIR ACTS
EYES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INFORMATION NEEDS
INHALATION
INORGANIC ACIDS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
PUBLIC HEALTH
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
TOXIC MATERIALS
TOXICITY
US EPA
US SUPERFUND
BODY
BODY AREAS
ELEMENTS
FACE
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HEAD
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INDUSTRY
INTAKE
LAWS
MATERIALS
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
ORGANS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION LAWS
SAFETY
SENSE ORGANS
US ORGANIZATIONS
290300* - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety
540120 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)