HF is dangerous, but not so under a well ventilated hood, with adapted gear
and protections, and with the antidote available BEFORE BEGINNING
(Ca-gluconate). Myles brings the samples to the lab:
http://citt.marin.cc.ca.us/myles.
Since all older recipes were based on HF, one should develop new ones if
one is going to avoid its use. I think of hexafluosilicic acid (which is
less harmful than HF). Perhaps a melt of NH4F poured on a slab could do?
But working with melts is not harmless either. J.J.
|