A male graduate student died after being drenched in hydrofluoric acid, known as "bone-dissolving water," at Hokkaido University's science faculty building in Sapporo on Thursday morning. Two other students who rushed to help were also injured.The incident occurred around 8.30am. University officials said the student who died had come into direct contact with a large amount of the acid, possibly on his head or face. The two others, a graduate student and an undergraduate, sustained minor injuries and were discharged after check-ups.The university clarified that the incident did not occur during an experiment. Police are investigating how the chemical was stored and handled.Hydrofluoric acid is a highly toxic chemical regulated under Japan's Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Act. Its fluoride ions can penetrate skin and cause systemic toxicity, including cardiac arrest.
Here is the original Hokkaido University press release, which (presuming Google Translate's accuracy) is remarkably prompt for such shattering and sad news (i.e. the death was said to take place on Thursday, August 27, 2026.). We will need to understand how this happened, so that it can be avoided in the future. My prayers for the deceased and their family.
How awful.
ReplyDeleteCJ, the link to the Hong Kong Standard article doesn't work.