---rest snipped----
If it really is hydrofluoric acid then stay away from it. This is ugly
nasty stuff. The following is from the 5th Edition of Dangerous Properties
of Industrial Materials. Some material is skipped and some abbreviations
expanded. .
"Highlyly irritating to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes and via oral
route. It is extremely irritant and corrosive to the skin and mucous
membranes. Inhalation of the vapor may cause ulcers of the upper
respirattory tract. Concentrtations of 50 - 250 ppm are dangerous, even
for brief exposures. Hydrofluoric acid produces severe skin burns which
are slow in healing. The subcutaneous tissues may be affected, becoming
blanched and bloodless. Gangrene of the affected areas may follow.
Violent reaction with ...acetic anhydride"
I suppose that the really fast bad effects require more concentrated
material but I recall when I worked with this etching scales on scientific
glassware that even the wash water caused skin problems. That was in the
bad good old days when I was young and careless and industrial safety was
someone elses problem.
There was a thread on this stuff recently but I forget where. There was a
first aid treatment mentioned but I also have forgotten that. Maybe
dejanews will turn it up.
Take care.
Eugene Robkin