Also known as: Hydrofluoric acid. CAS Number: 7664-39-3. An
aqueous solution that is a weak poisonous acid. It resembles
hydrochloric acid chemically but attacks silica and silicates,
and therefore is used often in finishing and etching glass.
Chemical formula = HF. Molecular weight = 20.01 g/mol.
Glossary Term Acronym
HF
Glossary Term Category
Glossary Term Show In Main
No
Glossary Term Ext Def
Hydrogen fluoride is used in the production of aluminum and
chlorofluorocarbons, and in the glass etching and chemical
industries. Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure to gaseous
hydrogen fluoride can cause severe respiratory damage in humans,
including severe irritation and pulmonary edema. Severe ocular
irritation and dermal burns may occur following eye or skin
exposure in humans. Chronic (long-term) exposure of humans to
fluoride at low levels has a beneficial effect of dental cavity
prevention and may also be useful for the treatment of
osteoporosis. Exposure to higher levels of fluoride through
drinking water may cause dental fluorosis or mottling, while very
high exposures through drinking water or air can result in
skeletal fluorosis in humans. The only developmental effect
observed from fluoride exposure in humans is dental fluorosis
which can occur in a child's teeth when a mother receives high
levels of fluoride during pregnancy. EPA has not classified
hydrogen fluoride for carcinogenicity.