It seems that everyone is quite familiar with Fluoride burns. To add a
little more information to the discussion:
The fluoride will continue to damage the skin and bone structure until
such time as it is neutralized . The stand procedure agreed to by
medical personnel is the subcutaneous of Calcium Gluconate. This must
occur either between the burn and the bone or on the surface of the
bone. Either prospect is not considered enjoyable. Because of the
relatively large amount of solution used. ( 10-40) cc of solution per
injection and the large gauge needle required it becomes a quite
uncomfortable experience to say the least. Even with quick and complete
neutralization there is severe scaring and usually a large hard knot of
tissue forms under the epidermal layer , quite akin to a large cyst. The
whole procedure is neither fun or pretty for anyone.
Concentrated Fluoride acid compounds should be handled with
caution and respect. The effects in the event of bodily contact can be
severe with all acid compounds and as such proper protective clothing
should be utilized. As with any chemical reaction the placing of an
opposing compound on the skin will result in a chemical reaction.
Neutralization solutions are usable for some parts of the body provided
there is sufficient quality of sufficiently weak ionic strength as to
preclude further damage from reaction by products( heat, gas generation
etc. ) Many minor chemical burns have changed into major injuries and
loss of life due to trying to neutralize with an opposite compound. Many
an Eye has been lost because of the accepted practice of using a little
squeeze bottle with 8-12 oz. of fluid in it. My question to someone when
i see those is "WHICH EYE ARE YOU GOING TO TRY AND SAVE ? , SINCE YOU
OBVIOUSLY CAN"T SAVE BOTH.
I will always recommend the immediate and first course of
action in any bodily contact with a process chemistry of the level of
hazard associated with any concentrate whether it Acid or Base, to
remove any contaminated articles of clothing including shoes ,watches
and rings, and immediately apply copious amounts of fresh running water.
for 15 minutes. Cold water while less able to remove some materials than
hot water , will slow the blood circulation to the skin surface as well
as assure that the pores are closed to further inhibit the absorption of
the chemical if it is a systematic poison . then administer follow-up
first aid based on the compound. This time allows several things to
occur , the material is constantly being diluted and removed. The mind
of the victim is somewhat occupied and it allows time for the paramedics
to arrive. If they get there before the 15 minutes is up then make them
wait.
A quick word on rinsing of an accident victim , it requires two
people to help the victim. Especially if it is in the eyes. One person
is going to have to steady the victim and many times hold them, the
other will be needed to hold the eye lid of the victim open to assure
complete and thorough rinsing. ( don't forget to continually talk to
them and tell them to roll their eyes to assure transfer of the fluid
from the rear of the orbital socket. )
To promote fear amongst the operators handling this material
WILL INVARIABLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. Simple education and teaching of
preventative techniques will assure confidence and skill in the persons
handling any chemical.
Lastly PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. if you have materials that
may be spilled on a person or the floor , practice what the procedures
are, who does what where the proper devices are. Have a disaster drill
just like a fire drill. It takes just a few minutes to prepare, and it
could save an eye or a lifetime of disfigurement , or even a life. (
Remember what you learn at work would also work at home with children
and family members. )
If you have any further questions I would be most happy to discuss them
with you.
Just a little food for thought to put this whole thing in
perspective:
The mercury in 1 laboratory thermometer evaporated on
the pitchers mound in Yankee Stadium , is enough to contaminate all the
air contained ( if you put a roof on it ) in 8 hours. The air would
violate the OSHA /NIOSH standards.
Russ Smith
russell.smith@ cibasc.com
----------
From: Andrew A Schroeder
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] fluoride burns
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 1998 3:48PM
Karen Tellefsen <[log in to unmask]> on 05/20/98 04:39:46 AM
Please respond to "TechNet E-Mail Forum." <[log in to unmask]>; Please
respond
to Karen Tellefsen <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
cc: (bcc: Andrew A Schroeder/CedarRapids/Collins/Rockwell)
Subject: Re: [TN] fluoride burns
RSedlak wrote:
>
> Okay, I am seriously crazed by any sort of implications that I have
suggested
> any procedure that was potentially very dangerous.
>
> And I want to get some serious chemistry understanding going on here.
>
> The bottom line is that "flouride" by itself, while no pussy cat, is
not
> crazily dangerous. However, CONCENTRATED HF is. Note the casual
reference
> to the term CONCENTRATED.
>
> Specifically, as pH goes down, Flouride goes from the ionized salt to
the
> protonated form, HF. Even this, by itself is no more dangerous than
HCl,
> Hydrochloric Acid, which is sold as toilet cleaner, in every grocery
store.
>
I don't think so. HF is a lot more dangerous than HCl. Bev's
description
of the toxicology of HF exposure to skin is pretty accurate. I've
worked
with a lot of concentrated acids, and HF is by far the scariest. I
think
Bev and I have a serious understanding of the chemistry.
Any acidic solution containing F- is dangerous and can cause burns,
that may not seem so bad at first. The problem is that the burns don't
heal, they get worse with time and may eventually attact bone. F-
ties up calcium ions in tissue, and since Ca+ is needed for tissue
repair,
the tissue deteriorates.
The medical treatment for F- burns is subcutaneous injections of calcium
salts.
This information can be found in the MSDS for acidic fluoride salts and
good laboratory safety manuals.
All,
One more liitle piece of infomation about fluoride burns. As the HF
ties
of the Calcium
in your blood, it form a salt in your viens and arteries. If you don't
get
those injections of Calcium salt within about an hour or so, there is no
way to remove that salt from your viens. It collects in your heart and
you
die within about 24 hours.
it isn't a very pleasant way to die.
Have a nice day,
Some Co-Op
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