Case 1: A A paper towel wet
with 5% v/v HF solution was picked up with a bare hand by a CDC
chemist. The worker did not wash their hands
immediately. After a few hours,
stinging and a deep-tissue soreness began under the skin on one of the fingertips of that
hand. The laboratory worker was sent to
the CDC clinic for consult and treatment. After treatment, stinging was relieved and
soreness went away in a 1-2 days. No further treatment was required.
Case 2: HF solution (5%) was splashed out of a spray
chamber and inhaled. Worker first
flushed nostrils with water for about 10 seconds, then rubbed
a small amount of calcium gluconate in the nasal membranes, and did a telephone
consult with the CDC clinic.
No adverse effects were noted.