Acute exposure to hydrofluoric acid solution, several droplets to feet and legs, not treated other than water wash several hours later. Former employee, now associates joint pain in feet to exposure and wants to be compensated. Acute exposure happened in 1990 and symptoms started about a year after the exposure and medical exam has not produced a alternative explanation. Many preventative steps currently in place however we also have an exposure protocol: Immediate water deluge of affected area Immediate notification and activation of emergency medical team Application of 2.5% calcium gluconate gel Full medical evaluation and treatment by medical doctor familiar with HF exposure Comments on exposure protocol and apparent chronic symptoms of HF exposure would be welcome.

Thanks Steve, Your points on exposure protocol could have been read from our emergency card! I just put in the four most important for the patient. Dr. has not identified any bone tissue issues.

I would add that, without education and training, users not understand the need for proper treatment. This is how the initial lack of first aid treatment occurred, so it would appear.

Hello and thank you all. The exposure happened a long time ago, and should not have happened; basically we were upgrading semiconductor fab. An old plastic wet bench was certified by the safety engineer to be free of hazardous materials (oops) and a labor went to work to cut up the plastic wet bench with a saw and a liquid splashed out on to his leather safety boots and jeans. Since there was a posted decontamination sticker signed by the engineer the labor assumed it was water and went about work, at home he showered that night. Burning started later that night, but since he has consumed a lot of ethanol.... He brought his burned boots in the next day and the incident was investigated which lead to chemical analysis- the boots were damaged by HF(and the eventual sacking of a safety engineer). Employee refused medical treatment, just wanted new boots but was still drunk and he was sacked as well. This happened in the USA and under that state's workers compensation system an illness claim can be filed up to 30 years post incident. Sorry to ramble on... I have read on flourosis, excellent reference. Anyone aware of a connection of joint pain? Think our current procedures are ok, and they are subject to constant review! Use of HF with the high consequence of exposure needs robust systems in place as all pointed out.

Hello, 49% HF (BOE with HCL solution). Most likely the HCL did the char as you suggested.

I'd suggest that with a single exposure that did not require any medical treatment, other than flushing the wound, that fluorosis is not an issue,

Be careful - don't prejudge the facts! It may be not be likely but it may be more likely than not. Remember in general the person only has to show on the balance of probabilities that they have had a loss resulting from an injury, (both subject to tests of proximity and foreseeability in negligence), caused by a breach of a duty owed to them. The court only has to accept a medical diagnosis of flourosis (based upon their symptoms and the signs (x-ray evidence showing flourosis) of disease and the exclusion of alternative causes), and the injury was linked to an accident involving HF, then there would be evidence of causation. Then the person would have to show breach of a duty owed to them - that tends to be the easiest bit. Regards

It may also be worth considering that there are less than a dozen incidences of skeletal fluorosis recorded in the US every year and these are generally attributed to consistant over exposure to fluorides in drinking water or high fluoride exposure over many years. There are far more HF injuries reported every year, as its in everything from wheel cleaner to rust remover.