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This is a NPWA/UKCAK informational CD-ROM and not
for sale or resale PowerPoint design, concept
and compilation G. Glasser R. Gentle - 2005
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H2SiF6

• Notice
• Information and documentation on this CD-ROM
  were compiled from public domain sources and is
  not for sale or resale
• Every attempt was made by the researchers to
  provide the most current information possible
  from the most reliable sources
• This presentation is meant only for educational
  purposes and in the event of an incident, contact
  the appropriate agencies and qualified Physicians

3
A NPWA/UKCAF Presentation

• H2SiF6
• Hexafluorosilicic Acid
• Transportation Safety

Compiled by G. Glasser, R. Gentle R. Jones for
the National Pure Water Association and UK
Councils Against Fluoridation. 2005
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H2SiF6

• All Fluorinated/Fluoride Chemicals can be
  extremely dangerous when encountered in
  an emergency situation
• Fire and contact with certain chemicals can cause
  a release of highly toxic and corrosive vapours
• Fluoride-based acids and bases are extremely
  toxic and can be absorbed through the skin
• Acute exposure can result in death
• Fluoride vapours can cause permanent damage to
  the lungs and eyes

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H2SiF6
All liquid fluoride acids should be classified in
an unique category
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H2SiF6
Hydrofluoric acid is the most corrosive and toxic
of the fluoride acids
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H2SiF6
Toxicological The two mechanisms that cause
tissue damage are corrosive burn from the free
hydrogen ions and chemical burn from tissue
penetration of the fluoride ions
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H2SiF6
Fluoride ions penetrate the skin and form
insoluble salts with calcium and
magnesium Soluble salts are also formed with
other cations in the body but dissociate rapidly
Consequently, fluoride ions release, and further
tissue destruction occurs
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H2SiF6
Mortality/Morbidity Local effects include
tissue destruction and necrosis Burns
may affect underlying bone Systemic fluoride
ion poisoning from severe burns is associated
with hypocalcemia (low Calcium levels),
hyperkalemia (low Potassium levels),
hypomagnesemia (low magnesium levels), and
sudden death
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H2SiF6
Inhalation of hydrofluoric acid vapours may cause
severe throat irritation, cough, dyspnea,
cyanosis, lung injury and pulmonary oedema
resulting in death
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H2SiF6
While fluoride acids may not react as rapidly as
HF, the end result from exposures will be the
same if prompt emergency treatment is not
available
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H2SiF6
NOTICE
Treatment for exposures Fluoride acid burns
require immediate and specialised treatment Speed
is of the Essence Delay in first aid or
improper medical treatment may result in greater
damage or the result may be fatal
Click to See Honeywell Recommended Medical
Treatment for Hydrofluoric Acid Exposures
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H2SiF6
Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is the base product used
to make any fluoride acid
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H2SiF6
What is H2SiF6? Hydrofluoric Acid Silicon
Dioxide (Sand) Hexafluorosilicic Acid (H2SIF6)
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H2SiF6

• CHEMICAL NAME OF SUBSTANCE Fluorosilicic Acid
• SYNONYMS
• Fluorosilicic Acid
• Hydrogen hexafluorosilicate 40
• Hydrofluorosilicic acid
• Fluosilicic acid
• Hexafluosilicic acid
• Silicofluoric acid
• Sand acid

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H2SiF6

• Sources
• By-product from the manufacture of phosphate
  fertiliser and hydrogen fluoride
• All H2SiF6 is of a technical/commercial grade
  used for drinking water fluoridation and
  industrial production

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H2SiF6
Appearance and Odour Water white to straw
yellow, fuming liquid, with pungent odour If you
can smell it you are being OVEREXPOSED! Technical
Grade H2SiF6 can contain up to 2.0 hydrofluoric
acid Typical Concentrations 20 - 36 H2SiF6
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H2SiF6

• Transport and Storage
• Transport
• TPC class 8.9? b - TPF class 8.9? b - IMCO
  class 8 - ADR class 8.8 b - RID class 8.8 b
• Storage
• Polyethylene drums. Rubber-coated tank-trucks
  or containers with approximately 20 MT capacity

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H2SiF6

• Uses
• Drinking water fluoridation
• Cement
• Latex Foam Rubber
• Ceramics and Glass Glass etching
• Electroplating
• Sterilization of equipment
• Tanning of animal hides
• Commercial Laundry As a neutralizer for
  alkalis

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H2SiF6

• INCOMPATIBLE PRODUCTS
• Metal, glass, stoneware, alkali and strong
  concentrated acids
• Separate from strong bases, food and foodstuffs

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H2SiF6

• FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS
• Wear approved self-contained acid suits
• Reacts with many metals to produce flammable and
  explosive hydrogen gas
• Decomposition will occur above 22F and produce
  toxic and corrosive fumes of silicon
  tetrafluoride and hydrogen fluoride

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H2SiF6

• SPILL OR LEAK
• Emergency Action 
• Keep unnecessary people away
• Stay upwind, keep out of low areas
• Isolate hazard area and deny entry

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H2SiF6
Small Spills

• Any personnel in area should wear an approved air
  supplied acid suit
• Dike area to contain material
• Do not allow solution to enter sewers or surface
  water
• Neutralize the spill with water and lime
  (hydrated lime)
• Take up with sand or non-combustible absorbent
  material and place in containers for later
  disposal
• Provide ventilation and be wary of hydrogen
  generation upon reaction with some metals

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H2SiF6
Large Spills

• Any personnel in area should wear an approved air
  supplied acid suit
• Dike area ahead of spill to contain material. Do
  not allow solution to enter sewers or surface
  water
• Neutralize the spill with water and lime
  (hydrated lime)
• Provide ventilation and be wary of hydrogen
  generation upon reaction with some metals

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H2SiF6

• Large Road or Motorway Spill
• Notify hospitals and paramedics of need for
  specialised treatment
• Evacuate bystanders upwind 300 yards
• Evacuate residents in about an one-half mile
  radius

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H2SiF6

• DO NOT
• Spray water directly onto acid
• Attempt to add a neutralising agent directly into
  the acid

See Honeywell Neutralisation of HF
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H2SiF6
Respiratory Protection  Use an approved
cartridge respirator with full- face
shield Chemical cartridge should provide
protection against acid fumes (Hydrogen
Fluoride) For concentrations greater than 20ppm,
an approved self-contained breathing apparatus
with full-face shield should be used
PERSONAL PROTECTION INFORMATION
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H2SiF6
Eye and Face Protection Use tight-fitting
chemical splash goggles and a full-face shield,
8 inch minimum Contact lenses should not be
worn
PERSONAL PROTECTION INFORMATION
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H2SiF6
Hand, Arm and Body Protection  Prevent contact
with skin by use of acid- proof clothing, gloves
and shoes Use an approved acid proof suit and
boots where liquid or high vapour concentration
is possible
PERSONAL PROTECTION INFORMATION
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H2SiF6
Symptoms of Exposure

• Acute 
• Liquid or vapours can cause severe irritation
  and burns which may not be apparent for hours
• Can cause severe irritation to the lungs, nose
  and throat if swallowed, can cause severe damage
  to throat and stomach, tetany and death

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H2SiF6
Symptoms of Exposure

• Chronic 
• Prolonged exposure could result in bone changes,
  corrosive effect on mucous membranes including
  ulceration of nose, throat and bronchial tubes,
  cough, shock, pulmonary oedema, Fluorosis

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H2SiF6

• Aggravated Medical Conditions 
• Any skin condition and/or pre-existing
  respiratory disease including asthma and emphysema

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H2SiF6
EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES Inhalation   R
emove exposed person to an uncontaminated area
immediately If breathing has stopped, start
artificial respiration at once Oxygen should be
provided for an exposed person having difficulty
breathing (but only by an authorized person)
until exposed person is able to breathe easily
by themselves Exposed person should be examined
by a physician
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H2SiF6
EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES Skin
Contact  Exposed person should be removed to an
uncontaminated area and subjected immediately to
a drenching shower of water for a minimum of 15
to 20 minutes Remove all contaminated clothing
while under shower Medical attention should be
given as soon as possible for all burns,
regardless of how minor they seem
Click to See Honeywell Recommended Medical
Treatment for Hydrofluoric Acid Exposures
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H2SiF6
EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES Eye
Contact  Flush eyes for at least 15 minutes
with large amounts of water Eyelids should be
held apart during flushing to ensure contact of
water with all accessible tissue of the eyes and
lids Medical attention should be given as soon
as possible
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H2SiF6
Notes to Physicians Beware of late onset of
pulmonary oedema for up to 48 hours Treat
severe burns and inhalation exposures the same
as hydrofluoric acid exposures
Click to See Honeywell Recommended Medical
Treatment for Hydrofluoric Acid Exposures
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H2SiF6
Notes to Physicians Toxicity Acute and
sub-acute exposures to fluorides from whatever
source can be extremely dangerous and should be
treated with due diligence
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H2SiF6
Notes to Physicians Toxicological
mechanisms 1. Fluoride binds to
metal-containing enzymes, thereby inactivating
them 2. Fluoride binds to calcium, resulting in
severe hypocalcemia 3. Fluoride binds to
potassium and magnesium ions leading to
myocardial irritability and arrhythmia (affects
heart function)
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H2SiF6
Notes to Physicians Toxicological
mechanisms 4. Fluoride may be directly toxic to
the Central Nervous System
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H2SiF6
Notes to Physicians Dermal Removal or
inactivation of the fluoride from the site of
contact is important and absorbed fluoride must
also be inactivated
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H2SiF6
Notes to Physicians Dermal Exposed skin
surfaces should be soaked In a calcium or
magnesium salt solution, gel or
paste Alternatively, quaternary ammonium
compounds (e.g. benzalkonium chloride) may be
used
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H2SiF6
Notes to Physicians Inhalation For serious
inhalation exposures the victim should be placed
on a calcium gluconate nebulizer as soon as
possible
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H2SiF6
Notes to Physicians Patients suffering with
serious exposures should have an immediate
assessment of serum calcium and
electrolytes Intravenous calcium gluconate,
magnesium gluconate and potassium to inactivate
serum fluoride and replenish electrolyte levels
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H2SiF6
Notes to Physicians Blood calcium and
electrolytes should be measured every 6 hrs for
at least the first 24 hrs in severe cases
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H2SiF6
Notes to Physicians As soon as possible,
patients should be placed on continuous
electrocardiograph monitoring for signs of
hypocalcaemia or dysrhythmia
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H2SiF6

• Example Incidents
• 1994 Deltona, Florida
• 2001 Port Avonmouth, Bristol
• 2005 Phoenix, Arizona

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H2SiF6

• Deltona, Florida, 1994
• 50 people went to hospital

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H2SiF6

• Some police and emergency workers were in
  hospital for up to six weeks

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H2SiF6

• In a one mile radius, 2,700 people were
  evacuated from their homes for up to 24 hours

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H2SiF6

• Clean up required about four days with crews
  working round the clock

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H2SiF6

• The USEPA advised residents not to drink well
  water until it had been tested for contamination

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H2SiF6

• All ground water in the area was tested for
  contamination

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H2SiF6

• Port Avonmouth, UK, 27 April 2001
• Avonmouth, Bristol, a portable tank of H2SiF6 was
  damaged in transit from Bilboa, Spain
• Upon discovering the damaged container, the
  Bristol Port Company declared a "Port Emergency"
  and a "Major Incident"
• Much of the port was effectively shut down for
  about 30 hours

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H2SiF6

• The tank had three patches on the liner. Two were
  faulty and the third was made of an incompatible
  material. The two faulty patches began to leak
• Within 72 hours, the H2SiF6 ate through an 8.0 mm
  steel shell and the tank sprung two leaks

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H2SiF6




Corrosion to 8.0 mm tank shell in about 72
hrs Maritime and Coast Guard Agency, Dutch
Navigator Incident report 2003
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H2SiF6
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H2SiF6
The damaged tank carried about 22,000 litres of
H2SiF6
Maritime and Coast Guard Agency, Dutch Navigator
Incident report 2003
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H2SiF6

• Phoenix, 03 February 2005
• A spill of 110 gallons of hydrofluosilicic acid
  occurred from a leaking tanker lorry in downtown
  Phoenix, Arizona
• Sixteen people were sent to hospital, including
  eleven policeman and three firemen
• 9,554 people were notified by a reverse 911
  emergency service phone system to stay indoors or
  in some type of protective shelter

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H2SiF6

• The Phoenix fire chief issued a statement to the
  press saying that, because of the nature of the
  spill, inhalation exposure was a minimal risk
• He said, however, skin contact with the
  hexafluorosilicic acid could be deadly

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H2SiF6

• Bulk loads of H2iSF6 and hydrofluoric acid are
  being transported on UK roads and motorways
  everyday
• It is not a question of if a major incident
  will happen, it is only when

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H2SiF6

• WARNING
• Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Conditions
  for Approval of ExaminationSchemes and
  Programmes set out no detailed requirements for
  container condition. Internationally agreed
  standards for container maintenance are not
  mandatory in the UK

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