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Hydrogen Fluoride Research Paper

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Hydrogen fluoride is a highly dangerous chemical compound and pollutant. Hydrogen fluoride is a colorless gas with a strong odor and gas that is extremely soluble in water (“Hydrogen” 2015). When dissolved in water, hydrogen fluoride is typically called hydrofluoric acid (“Facts” 2013). It is one of the strongest known acids with a pH of 1. It has a specific gravity between 1.15 and 1.18 and a molecular weight of 20.10 grams per mole (Strategic). Hydrogen fluoride is commonly used in industries. It is highly used in oil refineries, removing rust, and glass etching. It is also used in everyday cleaning products, like car cleaners and water-spot removers (ATSDR 1992). Hydrogen Fluoride is sometimes added to drinking water and is found in a plethora of dental care products to help tooth enamel (“Hydrogen” 2015). Furthermore, hydrogen …show more content…

Hydrogen fluoride is exceptionally corrosive. If inhaled, it can cause coughing, sore throats, breathing problems, and inflammation of the lungs. Because of its corrosiveness, it is can cause burns and even penetrate through the skin and bone when exposed to the skin. Permanent eye damage, blurred vision, pain, and redness of the can occur if it comes in contact with eyes. Ingesting large amounts, more than 6mg of the compound, can cause vomiting, burning of the digestive tract, diarrhea, and kidney damage (Strategic). Long term exposure can cause hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia (Ozcan 2011). Hydrogen fluoride is also detrimental to plants and animals. Hydrogen fluoride raises the pH of soil and kills vegetation. It is extremely toxic to aquatic life as well. The amount of Hydrogen fluoride in water that effects aquatic life depends on the species. For instance, 60 ppm is lethal for fish in fresh water and the lethal concentration of hydrogen fluoride for salt water shrimp greater than 300ppm in a forty-eight hour time span

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