Refer China: Woman Dies After Stepping on "Bone-Melting Chemical" During Walk

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Woman Dies After Stepping on "Bone-Melting Chemical" During Walk

Tragedy struck a Hangzhou family when a 52-year-old woman, surnamed Tu, died after accidentally stepping on hydrofluoric acid (HF) during a morning walk.

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On September 14, her daughter revealed online that her mother collapsed immediately after exposure to the chemical and was later diagnosed with severe HF poisoning. Despite emergency treatment, the woman's condition deteriorated, with cardiac failure and respiratory arrest occurring by the afternoon. She passed away later that evening due to multiple organ failure.

On September 15, the Yuhang District's Xianlin Subdistrict Office confirmed the incident: "On September 9, Tu accidentally came into contact with abandoned hydrofluoric acid in a vacant lot near Xianlin Middle Road. Despite emergency treatment, she tragically died in the early hours of September 14." Authorities have launched an investigation, and the environmental department has completed the hazardous cleanup.

What Is Hydrofluoric Acid?

Hydrofluoric acid is an aqueous solution of hydrogen fluoride—a colorless, highly corrosive liquid with a pungent odor. It can eat through metals, glass, and silicon-containing materials, and is commonly stored in sealed plastic containers under cool conditions. In laboratories and industrial settings, strict safety protocols, including protective gear and ventilation, are required when handling HF due to its potential to cause severe chemical burns and deep tissue damage. Even minimal skin contact can be fatal.

According to the Ministry of Emergency Management, HF solution is classified under Entry No. 1650 in the official Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals (2015 edition). Under Chinese chemical classification standards, it falls under "Category 1 Acute Toxicity"—the highest toxicity level, indicating that skin contact can be lethal.

Despite the risks, HF is widely used in the semiconductor, electronics, glass, metal processing, and fluorochemical industries due to its reactive properties.

How Did a Highly Toxic Acid End Up on a Public Street?

This incident has raised urgent questions about hazardous chemical regulation. How did such a dangerous substance—clearly listed as a hazardous chemical—end up on a public walking path?

China has detailed protocols governing the use, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals in laboratories and industrial environments. However, regulation of such chemicals in daily life appears to have critical loopholes.

On the night of September 15, reporters searched popular e-commerce platforms using keywords like "hydrofluoric acid solution," "HF water solution," and "hydrofluoric cleaning agent." Alarmingly, multiple listings for HF solutions appeared, with prices ranging from ¥8 to ¥42 and some stores having sold over 4,000 units.

These products were advertised for purposes such as "cleaning glass stains, removing logos, etching ceramics, aging stone, and metal pickling." Most listings included basic usage instructions—"wear gloves, use with a cotton swab, avoid skin contact"—but failed to mention essential safety practices such as using in ventilated areas or wearing protective face shields. Some even included disclaimers stating that buyers assume full responsibility.

Experts Call for Stronger Oversight

"This isn't just about unsafe handling," said a local chemistry teacher interviewed by reporters. "We're also deeply concerned about how untrained individuals—including minors—dispose of leftover hazardous chemicals."

The expert urged both regulatory authorities and online platforms to improve oversight: first, by classifying which chemicals can be sold publicly and which pose serious risks; and second, by requiring sellers to verify proper qualifications and handling practices.

Source: 广州日报