GHS ClassificationCAS 7664-39-3
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).
Signal word — DANGER
Concentration (this SDS record)15 – 29.99 % (w/w)
First aid
Reference only — this is 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
GHS Hazard Summary
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Physical properties
- pH
- 1
Values sourced from the referenced SDS.
Hazard ratings
Ratings as reported in the referenced SDS (scale 0–4). These are SDS-author assignments, not independently calculated values.
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 requirements
- 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.Involves: Strong bases, Strong acids, Combustible materials, Metals, Sources of ignition, Direct sunlight
Incompatibilities
- Avoid contact with combustible materials, metals, strong acids, and strong bases.Involves: Combustible materials, Metals, Strong acids, Strong bases
Rules extracted from the referenced SDS.
Verified source
- Source
- Official SDS (canonicalized)
- Supplier
- Air Liquide USA LLC and its affiliates
- SDS revised
- 2022-09-01
- Last verified
- 2026-07-15
This information is provided for reference purposes only. For critical safety decisions, always consult the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and your local regulatory authority. MSDS Chain makes no warranty as to completeness or fitness for a particular purpose.