We use HF at our truck wash, and I'm coughing

A. HF of any measurable concentration is a serious issue. This sounds like a dangerous situation. Your employer is obligated to tell you exactly what you are using and to provide you with an MSDS for anything you are using, and to furnish appropriate safety gear. I am not sure if truck washes are covered by OSHA, but I think you should look up the OSHA Hotline number in a local phone book and ask them to look at your facility. You should also see a doctor, who may refer you to a poison control center; taking medical advice from strangers on the internet is dangerous.

A. If you are using HF at any concentration you are definitely affecting your health. Although I am only a auto detailer we use HF or as referred in my business aluminum brightener, we always use rubber gloves ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and acid respirator ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . I dread using it and avoid it at all cost.

A. James,

If you are truly using HF w/o proper protection. Consider yourself a lucky man. Please read your MSDS or place it on your head stone. All joking aside. This acid is very brutal, please be advised.

A. I cringe when I hear stories like yours about guys involved in truck washing. HF is used at up to 25% in many aluminum brighteners. One friend in the truck washing industry used a rag and wiped a bit of splashed chemical on the top of a drum. Due to the delayed reaction of HF to any pain, it was about 8 hours later when his fingertips started hurting terribly. They were swollen to the first knuckle. He said it felt like someone was pulling his fingernails out with vise grips.

I suggest having the antidote (calcium something,,, I forget right now) around to work into your fingernails and such. [Ed. note: calcium gluconate gel ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] ].

It is for this reason that I refuse to work around HF or even blends wherein HF is created by the use of Ammonium Bifluoride reacting with another acid.

Be safe!

A. If you truly are using HF you should definitely look into some safety equipment, starting off with a good full face respirator. Then I would look into getting a good pair of rubber gloves ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , rubber apron ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , poly sleeves, and possibly even a face shield ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . That is some nasty stuff even in slight concentrations! HF could etch glass so imagine what it is doing to your insides.

If you have been exposed to either airborne or liquid HF for a period of time, you must seek medical advise from your doctor. You also should bring MSDS and all other pertaining information with you when doing this. HF is the most toxic and poisonous substance one can buy on the open market. The USA is the only country in the world that allows employees to be exposed in the truck wash bays to airborne HF without any protection.

HF has one nasty feature that you must be aware of: IT CAN KILL YOU, either in the short run or in the long run. There is nothing such as safe, long term exposure to HF; all exposure to HF is dangerous.

WE DON'T USE HYDROFLUORIC ACID

Anybody using HF without extremely good quality protective clothing and breathing systems, must be out of his/her mind and is seriously playing with his/her expected life span.

I am not a chemist, neither am I a medical doctor, but after consulting your doctor, if I were you, I would contact my lawyer as next step.