[Jewelry making - Article 01374] - Re: [Orchid] Why Hydrofluoric acid is so dangerous

[Bruce Holmgrain]

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I've told this story before.

    I'm a skeptic. I don't believe everything that I hear or read. I
    require corroboration. Sometimes this gets me in trouble. 

    Over thirty years ago, I needed to do some enameling. In the
    process, I found that I needed to remove my enamel and start over. I
    acquired about a pint bottle from the local chemical supply. I did
    try to take some precautions. I poured about 1/2 oz into a plastic
    container. I had baking soda handy. This stuff does remove enamel
    pretty quickly. When I was done I neutralized and disposed the acid
    that I had used. 

    Sometime later, I noticed a slight burning sensation on my finger.
    The first thing that I did was to touch my finger to my tongue. There
    did seem to be a faint sour taste. I then tried to soak my finger in
    some baking soda. The pain kept up. Having read the warnings on the
    bottle, I asked my boss to see a doctor about it. the doctor looked
    at me as if I was just trying to get out of work. Aside from a little
    pinkening, there didn't seem to be a problem. Had me soak my hand in
    a whirlpool despite what I told him. Later, when things didn't seem
    to be getting any worse, I left. A week or so later, my fingernail
    fell off.and revealed a pus like condition of the tissues underneath.
    Nor further damage. A pretty cheap lesson. 

    My point is that this acid will pass through the skin without one's
    knowledge. Very difficult to neutralize once it gets through. In my
    case, I was totally unaware when I had spilled it. It must have been
    just a single drop. 

    This acid has some uses that can make things much easier to deal
    with. I suspect that it is very easy to have a fatal error with as
    well. Use this stuff with extreme caution.
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