Recently, topics such as "serious consequences if hydrofluoric acid touches half a finger" have sparked heated discussions on social media. What is hydrofluoric acid? How dangerous is it? How to handle emergency situations once poisoned? Regarding this, the reporter interviewed Yuan Juan, the chief physician of the Poisoning Medicine Department at Hunan Provincial Institute of Occupational Disease Prevention and Control. Dangerous chemicals must be stored in plastic containers. Hydrofluoric acid, even if only a drop, will gradually penetrate the skin, dissolve bones, and eventually corrode the entire affected area. It will corrode whatever it touches, and then the entire palm or arm will be directly severed. ”Every time we touch hydrofluoric acid, we chemical workers are fully armed and operate carefully in the fume hood. ”The legendary bone dissolving water can corrode bones through the skin. Even if washed with hexafluorospirit in a timely manner, it still requires lifelong calcium supplementation. It is said that life is worse than death in the later stage. ”Upon checking the comments from netizens, it was found that they were almost terrified to talk about it. According to previous news, incidents of injuries caused by hydrofluoric acid have occurred from time to time: one worker died and four workers were injured due to a hydrofluoric acid leak at a certain factory; Unfortunately, the cleaner was exposed to hydrofluoric acid, causing serious damage to all organs of the body... Why is hydrofluoric acid called "bone water"? Data shows that hydrofluoric acid is an aqueous solution of hydrogen fluoride, a "weak acid" that is a colorless, transparent, and pungent liquid. It is highly toxic, corrosive, and can strongly corrode metals, glass, and silicon containing objects. Inhalation of the vapor generated by hydrofluoric acid or contact with the skin can cause burns. Hydrofluoric acid is a weak acid but also a highly corrosive and systemically toxic hazardous chemical. ”Yuan Juan introduced that compared to strong acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, although a weak acid, has extremely high chemical activity and can react with silicon dioxide in glass to generate volatile silicon tetrafluoride. Therefore, it must be stored in plastic containers (such as polyethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene). Hydrofluoric acid molecules have a small volume and strong polarity, and can quickly penetrate the skin, mucosa, and even bone tissue. Its danger is mainly reflected in two aspects: first, strong corrosiveness, which has a strong corrosive effect on materials such as metals, glass, ceramics, and concrete; The second is strong penetrability, which can quickly penetrate the skin and invade deep tissues, causing deep damage to the body. Therefore, some people in the folk refer to it as "bone water". The reporter learned that the high-risk groups for exposure to hydrofluoric acid mainly include frontline operators in industries such as glass etching and processing, semiconductor and electronic manufacturing, metal pickling and titanium zirconium refining, petroleum refining and alkylation, fluorine chemical production, and chemical laboratories. These positions come into direct contact with hydrofluoric acid solution or gas during glass carving, silicon wafer etching, stainless steel pickling, catalyst use, fluoride synthesis, or experimental operations. Don't panic after being exposed to hydrofluoric acid, some patients will recover well. After hydrofluoric acid burns, there will be no situation that cannot be treated. ”Yuan Juan pointed out that compared to general hydrochloric acid burns, nitric acid burns, and sulfuric acid burns, exposure to hydrofluoric acid not only causes burns, but may also lead to poisoning. The reporter learned that Yuan Juan has treated patients who have been exposed to hydrofluoric acid several times in her career, and the most recent successful case was last year. If hydrofluoric acid burns a large area, will it have an impact on the body? Yuan Juan said that firstly, burns themselves can cause serious consequences to the body, including early shock, later infection, and even skin and soft tissue defects, leading to hypocalcemia, sweating, convulsions, arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, and other phenomena. Secondly, when a large amount of hydrofluoric acid enters the human body, it can cause certain toxicity to the body's cells and blood, such as potentially causing secondary damage to the kidneys. In addition, it can also cause environmental disorders in the human body. The body is in a state of acid-base balance, and a large amount of acid entering it can change the pH value of the body. But don't worry too much, there are still treatment methods available. ”Yuan Juan said that for some burn patients, early fluid management, fluid resuscitation, massive infusion and fluid replacement can be carried out to prevent hypovolemic shock; Monitor the functions of multiple organs, especially electrolytes such as blood calcium and electrocardiogram, to protect the functions of various organs, even including later blood purification dialysis. In Yuan Juan's experience, some patients with hydrofluoric acid burns have better treatment effects. The burns only stay on the skin and soft tissues, do not involve deep bones, and have good healing. Moreover, there will be no particularly serious scars left after healing. She said that everyone doesn't need to panic too much. Yuan Juan reminds that despite this, standardized treatment is still necessary. If you accidentally come into contact with hydrofluoric acid, rinse the water immediately for more than 15 minutes. If you accidentally come into contact with hydrofluoric acid, what are the correct emergency measures to take? Hurry up and flush for at least 15 minutes, then promptly send the patient to the clinic. ”Yuan Juan suggests that once the skin comes into contact with hydrofluoric acid, contaminated clothing and shoes should be immediately removed to fully expose the injured area. Then, immediately rinse with plenty of flowing water for more than 15 minutes, and do not bandage or neutralize with alkaline solution. After washing, 2.5% calcium gluconate gel should be repeatedly applied and gently massaged as soon as possible. If the pain lasts or the burn area is large, medical personnel should inject calcium gluconate around the wound. The benefits of continuous flushing include reducing local heat and slowing down further infiltration into deeper areas; Secondly, it can reduce the local acid concentration and minimize the damage caused by acid to the local area; In addition, after rinsing with water, the water can take away some of the heat caused by local chemical reactions after acid burns, protecting the tissue. This method will not delay treatment, because after arriving at the hospital, the doctor will also let the patient rinse first. ”Yuan Juan stated that in short, it is necessary to quickly remove toxins, thoroughly wash the skin, use calcium gluconate in a timely manner, and seek medical attention as soon as possible to reduce deep tissue necrosis and systemic poisoning. Intravenous supplementation of calcium gluconate is feasible for deep or extensive injuries, while closely monitoring and correcting blood calcium, magnesium levels, and electrocardiogram changes. If necessary, combined analgesia, surgical debridement, etc. So, what are the symptoms of patients with hydrofluoric acid in the early stages? Yuan Juan told reporters that hydrofluoric acid molecules have a small volume and strong permeability, which can quickly penetrate the skin and deep into soft tissues and bones. Moreover, pain often appears several hours later and is easily underestimated in the early stages. The fluoride ions entering the body will combine with calcium and magnesium in the blood, causing hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, severe arrhythmia, and even multiple organ failure. She reminded that common corrosive chemicals in households include acids (such as dilute hydrochloric acid in toilet cleaners, sulfuric acid in pipeline uncloggers), alkalis (such as sodium hydroxide in degreasers or uncloggers), and chlorine containing oxidants (such as sodium hypochlorite in 84 disinfectant), all of which may cause damage to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, and release toxic gases when mixed with acid, alkali, or chloramine. The key points of protection are not mixing, storing separately, maintaining good ventilation, and wearing chemical resistant gloves, goggles, and necessary masks during operation; Before use, read the instructions and follow the principle of "adding water before adding medicine" for dilution. Cover immediately after use. When encountering or inhaling irritating gases, immediately rinse with plenty of water or transfer to a well ventilated area and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Neutral cleaning agents or 75% alcohol, hot steam, and other alternatives to strong acids and alkalis can be used for daily cleaning to reduce risks. (New Society)