ENWARE has released a new FAST-ACT rapid response safety kit to rapidly neutralise spills of hydrofluoric acid and other chemicals and vapours.
Hydrofluoric acid is a chemical which is widely used in resources, industrial and laboratory processes. It is extremely corrosive and is a contact poison.
According to Enware, hydrofluoric acid is particularly dangerous because it penetrates tissue more quickly than typical acids and systemic toxicity can occur via contact with skin, eyes or swallowing.
The acid also interferes with nerve function, meaning that burns may not initially be painful. Accidental exposures can go unnoticed, delaying treatment and increasing the extent and seriousness of the injury.
Once the acid is absorbed into blood through the skin, it reacts with blood calcium and may cause cardiac arrest or amputation.
Enware says the FAST-ACT rapid response safety kit offers one-step neutralisation of either liquid or vapour spills.
FAST-ACT is an extended acronym for First Applied Sorbent Treatment – Against Chemical Threats. It was demonstrated to be effective against hydrofluoric acid during successful trials at the Australian National University.
FAST-ACT may be used in a variety of industrial workplaces, including oil refineries, where hydrofluoric acid is used as a catalyst for alkylation, and metal processing facilities, where the acid is used as an etchant and cleaning agent.
For industrial applications, wall-mounted FAST-ACT? units can be tailored to user requirements, employing 70g, 300g, 500g, 3kg and 5kg shaker tubs of the product, and 1, 2 and 4kg “fire extinguisher” style pressurised cylinders for liquids, vapour and off-gassing.