The risk of being exposed to harmful or toxic substances is high in the chemical industry. Acids represent one of the most dangerous compounds, so they must be handled with caution and with adequate protection to avoid skin burns or corroding a material on which they have fallen.

What is hydrofluoric acid?

It is an aqueous solution of hydrogen fluoride, which is a weak acid. That is, in contact with water, it will not completely dissociate. In appearance, it is a colorless, highly corrosive and toxic liquid. In fact, it has the ability to penetrate human tissues at high speed, which can cause serious damage.

Its nature makes it very dangerous for workers. It is essential to avoid direct contact, as it causes severe and painful burns that do not appear immediately. Also, if it penetrates the skin, it may be able to reach the bone. To avoid these risks, chemical-resistant gloves or suits made to protect against such a substance should be worn.

The most effective protection

Chemical protective clothing to be worn when exposed to hydrofluoric acid must be resistant. Depending on the percentages in which the substance is present, one PPE will be used or another.

If the concentration is below 50%-75%, AlphaTec® 4000 and AlphaTec® CFR suits are recommended. The former offers high resistance against 200 chemicals, including chemical warfare agents. The second is a multi-risk solution that provides an eight-hour barrier against non-flammable, flammable and aggressive solvents.

For concentrations above 75 % or if the acid is in a gaseous state, AlphaTec® VPS, FLASH and EVO suits are the right solution:

• VPS: Its multi-layer chemical barrier technology is versatile. It is reusable and provides Type 1/Level A protection. It is gas-tight, but also protects against solids or liquids.
• FLASH: Adds to its chemical barrier a good flame and abrasion resistance thanks to its chloroprene and aramid fabric. Its design is encapsulated for greater comfort and defends against liquefied gases.
• EVO: It has a multilayer fabric composed of butyl rubber, viton and aramid. This guarantees optimum chemical resistance and outstanding permeation times. Its durability is superior to that of other suits.

When working with aggressive chemicals, PPE has to be up to the task. At Ansell we manufacture the safest equipment thanks to the knowledge and experience we treasure. This allows us to determine which is the best material for one product or another. Everything to achieve maximum safety.