InterClean Equipment and its shareholders have taken a firm stand against using hydrofluoric acid or ammonium bifluoride (ABF) in vehicle washing applications.  Hydrofluoric acid is an effective and cheap cleaner but is one of the most dangerous and toxic chemicals known to man.

Fortunately its use in vehicle wash applications is diminishing and is mostly limited to those chemical and equipment companies who either don’t have a proper engineering department or who desire to maximize their profit at any cost.  Hydrofluoric acid simply etches a layer of paint or vehicle surface away each time it is applied.  A wash system using hydrofluoric acid requires very little engineering.

All major, respected chemical companies join InterClean in condemning use of this chemical in the vehicle wash applications.  InterClean will never recommend or design equipment to use a cleaner like hydrofluoric, which can kill if only 10% of a person's skin is covered by an accidental spill.

We have attached four articles about the dangers of hydrofluoric acid.  Anybody thinking of using products containing this chemical should first read these articles.

• Hydrofluoric Acid + Truck Washing = Death by James P. Salame
  (also available in PDF format for better print quality.)
  "From purchasing, to storage, to usage and disposing, hydrofluoric acid is one of the most highly regulated toxic chemicals."

• Hydrofluoric Acid Burns from emedicine.com.  A more technically-oriented article.  Includes emergency treatment information.
  "HF acid burns are a unique clinical entity. Dilute solutions deeply penetrate before dissociating, thus causing delayed injury and symptoms. Burns to the fingers and nail beds may leave the overlying nails intact."

• A letter from the EPA about fluorides in transport vehicle wash waste streams.  This addresses the environmental issues surrounding use of hydrofluoric acid and other fluoride-containing chemicals in wash systems.

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