Why Acids are not safe

[turbomangt]

Hydrofluoric acid is a corrosive acid used in wheel cleaners and aluminum brighteners for detail shops. What is does can make the filthiest set of chrome or wire wheels (caked with brake dust and rust) look brand new almost within seconds. However, many people aren't aware of the fact that if you get a slight amount on your skin, you can suffer great bone loss and possibly death. Distributors are selling these cleaner without educating the consumers about the proper way to use or handle them.

What HF can do to the human body is very scary. I'm no doctor or chemist so I'll try to describe what it does. HF is attracted to calcium and magnesium in the body and if any is exposed to the skin, it will penetrate the skin -- sometimes without a burning sensation -- seek out the calcium and turn the bones into jelly form. I've read a great many stories of people losing extremities days after contact -- some even dying. If someone breathes in the fumes they can suffer with pulmonary edema. People treat this chemical like a regular all-purpose cleaner and it's scary. Gary

[II kings 9:20]

Hard to beat old fashioned elbow grease, good tips.

[Redman]

Just once more to make sure all have read.
Zowsers!

[Redman]

http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/EHSRM/LAB/labHF.html
http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/safety/HFtreatment.htm
Gets better:
http://www.safetyline.wa.gov.au/inst...e76/l76_02.asp

[5point7]

Great info turboman,

If this scares you - just go look under your kitchen sink at ALL of your cleaning products and other household items - search the net for more info on the effects of HF, chlorine, bleach...even flouride! The chemicals in household cleaners are not "regulated" - they don't have to disclose all of it like in the commercial cleaners...there's some BAD stuff under your sink.

It's amazing we live as long as we do with all of the chemicals we use daily....

[RedGoober4Life]

it also loves to etch glass.