Regulatory Context

A well-known hazard to human and environmental health, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. EPA, and Consumer Product Safety Commission regulate hydrofluoric acid.

• The OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for an eight-hour workshift for hydrofluoric acid is 3 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift.

The U.S. EPA regulates hydrofluoric acid under the authority of five environmental statutes. Under the:

• Clean Air Act, hydrofluoric acid is both a "hazardous air pollutant" and a "regulated toxic, explosive, or flammable substance."
• Comprehensive Environmental Responsibility, Compensation and Liability Act (popularly known as "Superfund"), hydrofluoric acid is an "extremely hazardous substance."
• Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, TRI program, all large quantity users of hydrofluoric acid must submit data on environmental releases and off-site transfers.
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, hydrofluoric acid is a "hazardous constituent."

Endnotes:
EDF, 1999; and New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, 1998 (see endnote #1 for full citations).