Hydrofluosilicic Acid 20 - 30 %

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

_______________________________________________________________________________________________ EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Corrosive! May be fatal if inhaled or swallowed. Causes severe skin and eye burns. Vapours are extremely irritating to eyes and respiratory tract. At elevated temperatures may cause irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract. High vapour concentrations may cause drowsiness. See "Other Health Effects" Section. Can decompose at high temperatures forming toxic gases. Contents may develop pressure on prolonged exposure to heat. _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Potential health effects

Inhalation: Corrosive! Product may cause severe irritation of the nose, throat and respiratory tract. Repeated and/or prolonged exposures may cause productive cough, running nose, bronchopneumonia, pulmonary oedema (fluid build-up in lungs), and reduction of pulmonary function. Mist or spray may be irritating to the nose, throat and respiratory tract. See "Other Health Effects" Section. . Skin Contact: Corrosive! Burns can occur if not promptly removed. Concentrated solutions may cause pain and deep and severe burns to the skin. Prolonged and repeated exposure to dilute solutions often causes irritation, redness, pain and drying and cracking of the skin. Toxic effects may be delayed. . Skin Absorption: Skin absorption is a secondary concern to the continual destruction of tissue while the product is in contact with the skin. . Eye Contact: Extremely corrosive! This product causes corneal scarring and clouding. Glaucoma, cataracts and permanent blindness may occur. . Ingestion: Corrosive! This product causes severe burning and pain in the mouth, throat and abdomen. Vomiting, diarrhea and perforation of the esophagus and stomach lining may occur.

Other Health Effects

Corrosive effects on the skin and eyes may be delayed, and damage may occur without the sensation or onset of pain. Strict adherence to first aid measures following any exposure is essential. May cause pulmonary oedema, fluorosis, exostoses, hypocalcemia, shock, central nervous system (CNS) depression, coma and death. CNS depression is characterized by headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and incoordination. Severe overexposures may lead to coma and possible death due to respiratory failure. Pulmonary oedema is the build-up of fluid in the lungs that might be fatal. Symptoms of pulmonary oedema, such as shortness of breath, may not appear until several hours after exposure and are aggravated by physical exertion. (4) Fluoride is a bone seeker, and excessive amounts will produce weakening and degeneration of the bone structure. Chronic exposure may cause excess accumulation of fluorine (fluorosis) in the teeth and bones. Severe fluorosis in children weakens tooth enamel resulting in surface pitting. After prolonged high intake in adults bony changes occur characterized by hardening or abnormal density of bone (osteosclerosis), benign bony growths projecting outward from the surface of the bone (exostoses) and calcification of ligaments, tendons, and muscle attachments to bone. Ingestion and skin contact may cause an abnormal reduction of blood calcium (hypocalcemia) and kidney damage since fluorides precipitate calcium stored in the body. There may also be heart, asthma, nerve, intestinal and rheumatism problems. (1,3,4) _______________________________________________________________________________________________