Hydrofluoric acid burns. A report of a case and review of the literature

Shewmake, Stephen W.; Anderson, Bárbara

doi:10.1001/archderm.115.5.593

Cited by 23 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The major use of aqueous HF is for occupational reasons for etching and polishing glass and ceramics, removal of sand from metal castings and for cleaning processes [3]. Other important uses include laboratory analysis, floor and wall cleaning, fabric rust removal, etching silicon in semiconductors, cleaning stone and marble and manufacturing inorganic fluoride compounds [4,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Possible hazardous effects of hydrofluoric acid and recommendations for treatment approach: a review

2011

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Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is commonly used for conditioning the glass ceramics either prior to cementation or for intraoral repair in prosthetic and restorative dentistry. The present study offers a review of chemical properties of HF used, highlight the possible hazardous effects of this agent, and to recommend the treatment approach for potential risks. Available published information documented in PubMed, Medline, and Picarta literature databases was reviewed. Additional information was derived from scientific reports, medical and chemical textbooks, handbooks, product information, manufacturers' instructions, Internet web sites of the HF manufacturers. No report was found on the incidence of the hazardous effects of HF in dentistry. Reports from other fields presented incidences of acute and chronic symptoms in exposure to HF. While acute symptoms include skin or nail burns, chronic ones involve systemic toxicity, eye injuries, inhalation and ingestion-related symptoms that can be even fatal. HF can be harmful and particularly aggressive to soft tissues, but symptoms may not be apparent immediately after exposure. The hazardous effects are not based on the pH value, but on the toxicity of HF. Potential hazards of HF known from other applications than dentistry should be considered also in dental applications. Especially the clinicians, who often deal with adhesive cementation or repair of glass ceramics, should take necessary precautions for possible hazards of HF. Scientific reports, medical and chemical textbooks, handbooks, product information, manufacturers instructions, Internet web sites of the HF manufacturers were also referred. In dentistry, HF is most commonly used for conditioning the glass ceramics either prior to cementation or for intraoral repair.Exposure to HF can be harmful and may not be immediately apparent being particularly aggressive for soft tissues. This is not based on the pH value, but on its toxicity. Common routes of exposure are inhalation, dermal exposure and ingestion that lead to the general symptoms of toxicity such as lung injury, skin burns, systemic toxicity and painful necrotic lesions. General symptoms are skin burns, systemic toxication and eye irritation by fume exposure. No report was found on the hazardous effects of HF in dentistry. HF is commonly used to condition the ceramic surfaces prior to cementation or repair. Especially the clinicians, who often deal with glass ceramics, should take necessary precautions for possible hazards of HF.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Possible hazardous effects of hydrofluoric acid and recommendations for treatment approach: a review

2011

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“…The severity of injury depends on the route of exposure, concentration of HFA, total amount of acid involved, presence of other chemicals and other factors such as temperature or skin conditions [11,12]. Therefore, even a relatively mild exposure to HFA without early initial treatment can often cause a serious injury.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrofluoric Acid Burns

Kim¹,

Park²,

Yoo³

et al. 2004

Exog Dermatol

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Hydrofluoric acid (HFA) burns have been occurring with ever-increasing frequency due to the wide use of HFA in industrial fields, such as electronics and semiconductor industries. HFA is one of the strongest inorganic acids and is capable of producing extremely serious and progressively destructive skin burns, with potential serious systemic effects and even death. It is therefore of great importance that clinicians understand the unique characteristics of such burns and the fundamentals of their treatment. Herein we aim to present the clinical features of HFA burns, histopathological studies using guinea pigs and several therapeutic methodologies along with 4 cases of HFA burns we experienced, showing the importance of early initial treatment.

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“…The recommended treatment for skin damage caused by HF includes¯ushing the exposed skin areas with running water and neutralizing the eects of burns by local application of calcium gluconate [7,8]. However, a consensus on the optimal therapeutic procedure for inhalation injury has not yet been fully established.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Successful treatments of lung injury and skin burn due to hydrofluoric acid exposure

Kono

Watanabe

Dote

et al. 2000

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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Recent growth in the electronics and chemical industries has brought about a progressive increase in the use of hydrofluoric acid (HF), along with the concomitant risk of acute poisoning among HF workers. We report severe cases of inhalation exposure and skin injury which were successfully treated by administering a 5% calcium gluconate solution with a nebulizer and applying 2.5% calcium gluconate jelly, respectively. Case 1: A 52-year old worker used HF for surface treatment after welding stainless steel, and was hospitalized with rapid onset of severe dyspnea. On admission to the critical care medical center he had widespread wheezing and crackles in his lungs. Chest radiograph showed a fine diffuse veiling over both lower pulmonary fields. Severe hypocalcemia with high concentrations of F in serum and urine were disclosed. He was immediately given 5% calcium gluconate solution by intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB), utilizing a nebulizer. On the 21st hospital day, chest film and CT scan did not demonstrate any abnormality. He was discharged very much improved on the 22nd hospital day. Case 2: A 35-year old worker at an electronics factory was admitted to his local hospital with severe skin burn on his face and neck after exposure to 100% HF. Treatment began with immediate copious washing with water for 20 min. Calcium gluconate 2.5% gel (HF burn jelly) was applied to the area as a first-aid measure. Persistent high concentrations of serum and urinary F were disclosed for 2 weeks. After treatment with applications of HF burn jelly, he was confirmed as being completely recovered. The present cases and a review of published data suggest that an adequate method of emergency treatment for accidental HF poisoning is necessary.

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Hydrofluoric acid burns. A report of a case and review of the literature

Cited by 23 publications

References 9 publications

Possible hazardous effects of hydrofluoric acid and recommendations for treatment approach: a review

Possible hazardous effects of hydrofluoric acid and recommendations for treatment approach: a review

Hydrofluoric Acid Burns

Successful treatments of lung injury and skin burn due to hydrofluoric acid exposure

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