By Industrial Sector: Hydrogen Fluoride Releases,1995-2016

Before we list the Toxic Release Inventory’s information on the releases of Hydrogen fluoride (also called Hydrofluoric acid) by industrial sector, we want to share some information on this highly toxic inorganic acid. In 1993, EPA released the Hydrogen Fluoride Study, Report to Congress which stated,

Exposure to HF can cause injury through inhalation, direct contact, or ingestion. HF is particularly caustic to tissue and exposure may require special treatment. HF is one of the more corrosive and toxic industrial chemicals…”

According to the 2003 Toxicological Profile for Fluorides, Hydrogen Fluoride, and Fluorine by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry:

… Commercially, hydrogen fluoride is the most important fluorine compound. Its largest use is in the manufacture of fluorocarbons, which are used as refrigerants, solvents, and aerosols (page 2).

… Coal contains small amounts of fluorine, and coal-fired power plants constitute the largest source of anthropogenic hydrogen fluoride emissions… Major sources of industrial fluoride emissions are aluminum production plants and phosphate fertilizer plants (page 203).

… Populations living near industrial sources of fluoride may be exposed to higher levels of fluorides in the air they breathe. Vegetables and fruits grown near such sources may contain higher levels of fluorides particularly from fluoride-containing dust settling on the plant. Populations exposed to relatively high concentrations of fluoride include workers in fluoride-processing industries and individuals residing near such industries. Similarly, populations living near hazardous waste sites may also be exposed to high levels of fluoride by analogous routes (page 206).

… In the atmosphere, gaseous hydrogen fluoride will be absorbed by atmospheric water (rain, clouds, fog, snow) forming an aerosol or fog of aqueous hydrofluoric acid. It will be removed from the atmosphere primarily by wet deposition. Particulate fluorides are similarly removed from the atmosphere and deposited on land or surface water by wet and dry deposition (page 205).

… The major natural source of hydrogen fluoride emissions to the atmosphere is volcanoes. These emissions are estimated to range from 0.6 to 6 million metric tons per year… Passive degassing of volcanoes is a major source of tropospheric hydrogen fluoride (page 209).

… Upon release to the atmosphere, fluorine gas will readily react to form hydrogen fluoride. Both hydrogen fluoride and particulate fluorides will be transported in the atmosphere and deposited on land or water by wet and dry deposition (page 238).

… The most important use of hydrogen fluoride is in the production of fluorocarbon chemicals, including hydrofluorocarbons, hydro­fluorochlorocarbons, and fluoropolymers; 60% of production is used for this purpose (page 199).

Not included in the TRI are the fluoride chemicals, including Hydrogen fluoride (HF), that are used in fracking. HF is used “to dissolve underground rock formations”. According to a report from the Center for Biological Diversity,

“Health effects include damage to the skin, eyes and other sensory organs, respiratory system, gastrointestinal system and liver, brain and nervous system, immune system, kidneys, cardiovascular system and reproductive system; mutagen and developmental inhibitor.”

• 2001 U.S. Congress, Committee on Energy & Commerce, Minority Report
• 2013 report by Robert Collier on the use of hydrofluoric acid in a “technique, already widely in use in the oil industry, known as ‘acidizing.'”

The following data comes from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) for HF releases. Hydrogen fluoride is a major source of fluoride entering the U.S. environment according to TRI. These releases pollute our bodies, air, water, soil, and wildlife. It’s important to emphasize, especially at the community level, that not all industries or sources that release fluoride into the environment are included in the TRI.

About the Tables below:

• Releases: On- and Off-site releases as reported on TRI’s forms. This amount does not include quantities of the toxic chemical that were the result of a catastrophic event, remedial action or other, one-time event not associated with production.
• Wastes: This includes the On- and Off-site Releases (above) and the sum of recycled on-site, recycled off-site, energy recovery on-site, energy recovery off-site, treated on-site, treated off-site, and quantities disposed of or otherwise released on- and off-site as reported on TRI’s forms.
• Not included are the other fluoride compounds tracked by TRI.
• The quantities listed below change as TRI frequently updates its data. However, the changes are generally not significant.

Rank by Industrial Sector for Hydrogen Fluoride Releases in 2010-2015

Rank by Industry for Hydrogen Fluoride Releases: 2002-2008

Rank by Industry for Hydrogen Fluoride Releases: 1994-2000

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