Hydrofluoric Acid
Accidental Release Preparedness
Educate Inspire Protect
Hydrofluoric acid, a chemical used in the refining process of gasoline, has posed a serious threat to communities across the US for years. Some community groups have taken stand by pursuing a ban on the chemical. Eradicating HF is the only solution that will 100% protect citizens because it removes the possibility of a release. While this is a noble goal, it relies on the cooperation of the refinery and/or government and could take years to accomplish. It is high time that the residents take matters into their own hands and do what they can to prepare themselves for a potential, accidental release. Organizations such as NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) outline how to respond to such a danger. They recommend that if elimination or substitution are not possible, it is time to implement engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. These last three suggestions can be summarized as shelter-in-place.
While shelter-in-place protocols will not make the community 100% safe, they have proven to significantly increase one's chances of survival if prepared correctly and executed in a timely manner. This website aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and it's shelter-in-place applications.
My hope is that this website informs communities about the specific hazards of HF and provides an affordable shelter-in-place recommendation. I believe that by informing communities and presenting the information in an easy to understand format, more people will become attuned to the risks and will be better able to protect themselves.
Use this interactive map determine your distance from the refinery and corresponding danger level.
The severity of an injury resulting from an exposure to Hydrogen Fluoride depends on the concentration of HF and the duration of exposure. The more concentrated the HF and the longer you are exposed to it, the more severe your injury will be. If there is an accidental release of HF, the concentration in the air depends on the amount released, the distance you are from the release, and the weather conditions. Symptoms related to inhalation of hydrofluoric acid vapors range from severe throat irritation to cough, dyspnea, cyanosis, lung injury, and pulmonary edema resulting in death. The concentration of HF is normally measured in parts per million. You could think of one part per million as one drop of water added to a ten-gallon aquarium.
This table and the map above describe the concentration in parts per million which can be expected at various distances from the Torrance Refinery in the event of a release. Based on the site distance from the refinery, this table can be used to determine the appropriate response. When using the table to select your response protocols, remember that they are intended to be used as minimum guidelines. When you are seeking to be safe from injury, it is always a good idea to breathe air that is as clean as possible. Selecting an option that is more protective than the table below advises will reduce your risks even further. This table is intended for planning purposes so that the community can be prepared for any magnitude of release. When using the map and table, select the appropriate response rounding down to the nearest circle.
Note* In order to ensure a conservative estimate of the values, the map and table are modeled for 100% HF while the Torrance Refinery uses a slightly diluted version of the chemical referred to as MHF.
The following table describes the effects of HF exposure at various concentrations and times. ERPGs are intended for use in emergency planning and should be used as guidelines when selecting your protocols.
Source: EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
About Me
This website was created as a product of of my GSGLA Girl Scout Gold Award Project. To the other girls who have hopes of completing a gold award project: I hope this project inspires you to think big and to create something that changes lives. Do not underestimate the platform that you have as a Girl Scout and as someone who is under 18. When you find an issue that you are passionate about, and avidly pursue, you may be surprised at the special opportunities that you are given.
-Summer Spencer, Troop 5785