# Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) — GHS Classification & Hazards

> Hydrofluoric acid is classified Danger under GHS, with hazards including Fatal if swallowed (H300), Fatal in contact with skin (H310), Causes severe skin burns and eye damage (H314), Causes serious eye damage (H318), and Fatal if inhaled (H330).

**Chemicals:** Hydrofluoric acid (CAS 7664-39-3)

**GHS signal word:** Danger

**Concentration (this SDS record):** 15 – 29.99 % (w/w)

## GHS hazard statements

- **H300** — Fatal if swallowed
- **H310** — Fatal in contact with skin
- **H314** — Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
- **H318** — Causes serious eye damage
- **H330** — Fatal if inhaled

## First aid

_Reference only — not medical advice and does not replace emergency care._

Hydrofluoric acid is exceptionally dangerous because its burns can be painless or delayed for hours — with dilute solutions (below about 20%), serious injury may not appear for 12–24 hours — so an exposure is easily underestimated. Absorbed fluoride binds the body's calcium and magnesium, causing systemic toxicity (hypocalcemia and cardiac arrhythmia): ingesting even a small amount can be fatal, and skin burns beyond a small area can cause life-threatening systemic effects.

For skin or eye contact, immediately remove contaminated clothing and jewellery and flush the exposed area with large amounts of water for at least 15–20 minutes while someone calls for emergency help. Water flushing alone cannot neutralize fluoride — the established specific antidote is calcium gluconate, but it must be given by trained medical personnel and is not a home treatment. Do not apply neutralizers, ointments, or home remedies. If HF is swallowed or inhaled, do not induce vomiting or attempt self-treatment — call emergency services immediately.

Treat any suspected HF exposure as a medical emergency and seek professional care immediately — call your local emergency number or nearest poison control center — regardless of how minor it appears. This information is a reference summary and does not replace evaluation by a physician or poison control.

**Sources:** CDC/ATSDR — Medical Management Guidelines for Hydrogen Fluoride; StatPearls (NIH/NLM National Library of Medicine) — Hydrofluoric Acid Burns; MedlinePlus (NIH/NLM) — Hydrofluoric acid poisoning

## Physical properties

- pH: 1

## Hazard ratings

_As stated by the SDS author; not independently calculated._

- NFPA Health: 3
- NFPA Fire: 0
- NFPA Reactivity: 0

## Precautionary statements

- **P260** — Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray
- **P262** — Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing
- **P264** — Wash hands thoroughly after handling
- **P270** — Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product
- **P271** — Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area
- **P280** — Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
- **P284** — In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection
- **P301+P310** — IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor
- **P301+P330+P331** — IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting
- **P302+P352** — IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water and soap
- **P303+P361+P353** — IF ON SKIN (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water or shower
- **P304+P340** — IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing
- **P305+P351+P338** — IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do – continue rinsing
- **P310** — Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor
- **P320** — Specific treatment is urgent
- **P321** — Specific treatment
- **P330** — Rinse mouth
- **P361+P364** — Take off immediately all contaminated clothing and wash before reuse
- **P363** — Wash contaminated clothing before reuse
- **P403+P233** — Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed
- **P405** — Store locked up
- **P501** — Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local regulations

## SDS safety rules

- (storage) Store in corrosive resistant container with a resistant inner liner. Keep only in original container. Store locked up. Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
  - Incompatible with: Strong bases, Strong acids, Combustible materials, Metals, Sources of ignition, Direct sunlight
- (incompatibility) Avoid contact with combustible materials, metals, strong acids, and strong bases.
  - Incompatible with: Combustible materials, Metals, Strong acids, Strong bases

## Source

- Source type: canonical
- Supplier: Air Liquide USA LLC and its affiliates
- SDS version: 1.0
- SDS revision date: 2022-09-01
- Region: US
- Last verified by MSDS Chain: 2026-07-15

Canonical page: https://safety.msdschain.lagentbot.com/hydrofluoric-acid-ghs-hazards/

_Published by MSDS Chain (msdschain.lagentbot.com). Reference information, not a substitute for the manufacturer SDS or professional EHS judgement._