Efficacy of hexafluorine for emergent decontamination of hydrofluoric acideye and skin splashes

Hexafluorine is an amphoteric, hypertonic, polyvalent compound for decontam inating hydrofluoric acid (HF) eye and skin splashes. In a German metallurg y facility during the period of 1994-1998, all eye or skin splashes with 40 % HF alone or with a 6% HF/15% HNO3 mixture were initially decontaminated w ith Hexafluorine within 2 min following the splash at the accident site by the victims themselves or co-workers who witnessed the accident. Eleven wor kers using 40% HF or a 6% HF/15% HNO3 mixture sustained eye (2 cases) or sk in (10 cases) splashes (I combined) during 1994-1998. Hexafluorine was used within 2 min, and a second Hexafluorine decontamination was done on arriva l at the plant infirmary. No further medical or surgical treatment was need ed, no workers developed chemical burns, and none lost work time. These I I cases demonstrate the efficacy of Hexafluorine in decontaminating HF or co mbined HF/HNO3 splashes.