Experimental evaluation of hydrofluoric acid and hypocalcemia

ABSTRACT

Experimental evaluation of the effect of hydrofluoric acid exposures on serum calcium has been achieved in male rats. Five concentration levels [10, 20, 30, 40, 50 percent] of hydrofluoric acid were used in this study; whereas for each concentration, two groups of animals were subjected to either skin or inhalation exposure. Hydrofluoric acid induced hypocalcaemia, in a concentration- related manner, either by skin or inhalation exposure as shown by the significant [P< 0.05, P<0.01 P< 0.001] decrease in serum calcium, except the group subjected to inhalation exposure of 10 percent hydrofluoric acid vapor which revealed non - significant diminution. These results suggest that proper treatment of hydrofluoric acid burns must include administration of intravenous calcium, to replenish the biologically active calcium and to prevent death from hypocalcaemia