Woman Dies After Stepping on Hydrofluoric Acid Container in China
Severe Risk Upon Human Contact... Similar Fatalities Reported in Korea
In Hangzhou, China, a woman in her 50s died just five days after being exposed to hydrofluoric acid. Hydrofluoric acid is a highly corrosive substance capable of dissolving metals and glass, and can be fatal if it comes into contact with the human body, as it damages not only the skin and tissue but also the bones.
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the 27th that on the 9th, a 52-year-old woman tripped and fell on a discarded hydrofluoric acid container on a hillside near a residential area scheduled for demolition in Hangzhou.
The woman was immediately rushed to the hospital with severe burns and skin swelling, but her condition rapidly deteriorated due to multiple organ failure and electrolyte imbalance. Medical staff determined from the beginning that her chances of survival were low, and ultimately, five days after the accident, her heart and lung functions ceased, resulting in her death.
The police immediately cordoned off the scene and carried out decontamination work, and during the investigation, they retrieved two additional hydrofluoric acid containers. The victim's family stated, "The container was old and broke easily as soon as it was stepped on." Police confirmed that a man who had previously been responsible for cleaning in the area had abandoned the containers and have detained him.
Local media reported that he could face up to seven years in prison for violating relevant regulations. The incident has sparked significant controversy online, with many criticizing the lax management of hazardous chemicals.
Hydrofluoric acid is a colorless liquid formed by dissolving hydrogen fluoride, a compound of fluorine and hydrogen, in water. It is widely used across industries for rust removal, surface treatment, and semiconductor processing. However, if it comes into contact with the body, it can penetrate the skin and reach the bones, causing severe systemic complications. Experts emphasize that in the event of hydrofluoric acid exposure, contaminated clothing should be removed immediately, the affected area should be washed under running water, and medical treatment should be sought without delay.
In January of this year, in southeastern China, a man suffered finger corrosion while handling hydrofluoric acid, even though he was wearing double-layered gloves.
In South Korea, there was a case in 2023 where a worker at a company in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, accidentally drank hydrofluoric acid from a paper cup and was found in cardiac arrest. Although he received treatment with an artificial heart-lung machine, he remained unconscious for several weeks. In addition, there have been repeated casualties due to hydrofluoric acid leaks at semiconductor and chemical plants.
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