Lesson Learned: Death after Hydrofluoric Acid Exposure
Incident description
Hokkaido University in Japan announced on August 27 that a graduate student died following severe exposure to hydrofluoric acid (HF). Two students who attempted to rescue the victim suffered minor injuries. An investigation into the cause and circumstances of the incident is ongoing.
Several other HF-related deaths have occurred in recent years, including incidents in Australia in 2013, China in 2025 and the United States in 2025.
Why is HF particularly dangerous?
HF, whether in a solution or as a gas, can readily penetrate the skin, destroy soft tissue and decalcify bone. Because pain may be delayed, a person may not immediately recognize the severity of an exposure.
Poisoning can occur through even minimal exposure to the skin or eyes, as well as through inhalation or ingestion. Exposure to concentrated HF solutions greater than 5% can cause severe pain, respiratory irritation, serious eye damage and pulmonary edema. Less concentrated solutions can produce equally serious effects that may not appear immediately.
What should be done to prevent an incident
Labs that handle HF or HF-producing materials should maintain appropriate procedures, emergency supplies and training. EH&S resources include:
- HF and HF-producing SOP templates
- SafetyNet 70: Safe Use of Hydrofluoric Acid
- Mini Emergency Kits
- Calcium gluconate and documented first-aid training, which are checked during annual laboratory safety reviews
Labs with questions about handling HF, HF-producing materials or their laboratory safety programs should contact EH&S.