Do you use hydrofluoric acid to clean your gold? Calcium Gluconate Gel is the only treatment for burns.

Many of us have been using hydrofluoric acid for cleaning stubborn dirt off nuggets and burning rock inclusions out of the gold.

In the early 80s, we could still buy the 60% solutions off the shelf in the hardware stores. Today, you will need a special license for the higher concentrations or just buy the diluted form in aluminum cleaners, rust removers etc.

We are all aware that hydrofluoric is one of the most dangerous acids available and in concentrated form can kill within a short time, depending on the surface of the exposed body area. What many of us don’t realize is that exposure to a diluted form (even 10%) will cause great damage, but the symptoms are delayed (up to 24 hours)

If you work with hydrofluoric acid, always wear protective gear – make sure that your gloves don’t have any pinholes. Never use the acid inside a room as the inhalation of the fumes is extremely dangerous. If you spill any acid onto the exposed skin, wash the area under running water for at least 10 minutes.

Apply a Calcium Gluconate Gel to the affected area immediately and seek medical help. Calcium Gluconate Gel is the only first aid treatment for hydrofluoric acid burns. If you work with acid, you should always have some at home. We have 50g tubes available for $39.