Occupational Hydrofluoric Acid Injury from Car and Truck Washing – Washington State, 2001–2013

Details

• Journal Article:
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
• Personal Author:
  Anderson, Naomi J. ; Bonauto, David K. ; Eckert, Carly M. ; Reeb-Whitaker, Carolyn K.
• Description:
  What is already known on this topic? Hydrofluoric acid (HF) causes chemical burns and is a serious systemic poison by all routes of exposure. HF is a chemical component in car and truck wash products, such as rust removers, aluminum brighteners, and wash formulations, because it is inexpensive and highly effective. What is added by this report? During 2001-2013, one death and 48 chemical burns from exposure to HF-based products used during car and truck washing, including auto detailing, were reported in Washington. The burns resulted in hospitalization, time lost from work, and disability. Reported diluted-use concentrations were <1% HF, and reported concentrated formulations contained up to 20% HF; both concentrations are hazardous to workers. What are the implications for public health practice? Because exposure to HF is toxic and can result in severe health outcomes, efforts to identify less hazardous alternatives to HF-based wash products are warranted. Further characterization of chemical burns from exposure to HF in auto detailers, car and truck wash workers, and truck drivers from other data sources or states would elucidate the magnitude and severity of this occupational health hazard. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Automobiles Hazardous Substances Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Automotive Industry Chemical Burns Chemical Hazards Cleaning Compounds Hydrofluoric Acid Occupational Exposure Truck Drivers
• Series:
  Weekly Report: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
• ISSN:
  0149-2195 (print) ; 1545-861X (digital)
• Publisher:
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (U.S.)
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement ; Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  5 pdf pages
• Contributor:
  Rauser, Eddy ; Martin, Elyette ; Schoonover, Todd M.
• Volume:
  64
• Issue:
  32
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20060708
• Citation:
  MMWR 2015 Aug; 64(32):874-877
• Email:
  whca235@lni.wa.gov
• CAS Registry Number:
  Hydrofluoric acid (CAS RN 7664-39-3)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2015
• Performing Organization:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:2decb4b17da41536b668f39eee9b78bddec4ca6b3df21e73a276ac171ad43fa75ccf6691ba55d6bc795a7091365a04a2b6f5dd66d01041d26b44a63ca18f2e35
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/183231/cdc_183231_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 321.45 KB ]