Hydrofluoric acid is an extremely caustic acid used in industry and in some household cleaners. Exposure can result in severe burns, while inhalation is associated with a high risk for systemic toxicity.
Risk factors associated with inhalation of hydrofluoric acid:
(1) hydrofluoric acid concentration >= 50%
(2) exposure involving the head and neck
(3) exposure involving > 5% of body surface area (BSA)
(4) clothing soaked with the acid
(5) delay in removing acid-soaked clothing
(6) exposure within an enclosed space
where:
• An area about the size of the patient's palm is equivalent to 1% BSA (see Chapter 2).
Clinical findings following inhalation of hydrofluoric acid:
(1) laryngeal edema
(2) pneumonitis
(3) pulmonary edema
(4) pulmonary hemorrhage
(5) systemic toxicity
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