• M-L Wu, C-C Yang, J Ger, W-J Tsai, and J-F Deng.
• 1Division of Clinical Toxicology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
• Hum Exp Toxicol. 2014 May 1; 33 (5): 449-54.

BackgroundHydrofluoric acid (HF) is a dangerous chemical that can cause severe cutaneous burns as well as possible systemic toxicity.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed all human HF exposure cases reported to the National Poison Control Center of Taiwan between 1991 and 2010.ResultsIn this 20-year survey, 324 calls were identified, with a majority of dermal exposure (84%). Occupational exposure accounted for 80% of all cases, with workers in semiconductor industry (61%), cleaning industry (15%), chemical or metal industry (13%), and other industries (11%). Electrolyte imbalances were uncommon, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypokalemia were recorded in 8.6%, 1.2%, and 1.5% of all cases, respectively. Most cases (64%) of dermal exposure received antidotal treatment. Treatment modalities of dermal exposure included calcium gluconate soaking, 49.8%; intravenous calcium, 20.6%; and topical use of calcium gluconate gel, 13.9%. Twenty patients (7%) received surgery. Following HF exposure, the majority of patients presented with mild (56.5%) or moderate (36.7%) toxic effects. However, four patients were severely intoxicated; two patients died of HF-related dysrhythmia and shock.ConclusionsSignificant symptomology may occur following HF exposure, and most of the HF exposure required hospitals evaluation. Calcium gluconate soaks appear to be effective in reducing local pain and tissue damage. Hyperkalemia should not be overemphasized as a common finding in HF exposure, hypokalemia tends to occur in cases of severe HF poisoning.

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