If left untreated or undertreated, minor exposure may produce the same severe consequences as high-concentration hydrofluoric acid burns. The delayed onset of symptoms may lull patients and medical caregivers into believing that the exposure did not cause harm, prolonging exposure and delaying treatment. Moreover, deterioration can be precipitous – patients with minimal symptoms can progress to ventricular arrhythmia and even death within a matter of minutes after exposure to concentrated hydrofluoric acid.

The bottom line is that all hydrofluoric acid exposures require medical evaluation and treatment regardless of whether first aid interventions were provided or the size of the exposure. Lessons Learned: while the PA-PSRS report highlighted above relates to hydrofluoric acid exposure, implementing the following strategies will help to ensure more effective and timely interventions for any chemical exposure.

Sol - gel prepared α-Fe2O3 film, the influence of hydrofluoric acid etching the surface of the film to its photoelectrochemical properties. It was found that the film surface holes and gaps with the growth of hydrofluoric acid etching time and change.