A 52-year-old woman in Hangzhou, China, died from heart โฃand lung failure after accidentally stepping on a container of hydrofluoric acid while walking on a hillside, local media reported. The incident has sparked public concern regarding the disposal of hazardous materials.
The woman, surnamed tu, collapsed on September 9th after her shoe โฃcame into contact with the corrosive chemical, โขcommonly referredโข to as โ”bone-dissolving water” due to its ability toโฃ rapidly penetrate tissue and cause severe burns. She was immediately โขtransported to a hospitalโค where doctors steadfast she was โsuffering from multiple organ failure โคand a critical electrolyte โimbalance. “The chances of saving her were already slim,” aโ doctor โtold The Paper, a mainland Chinese news outlet.
Hydrofluoric acid is a highly dangerous chemical used in industrial processes like etching glass โand cleaning metal.Even smallโค exposures can be fatal, as it โขcontinues to โฃcause internal damage long after initial contact. Tu succumbed to her injuries within โขfive days of the incident.
The case has prompted calls for stricter regulations and oversight of hazardous waste โคmanagement in the โฃregion, as authorities investigate the source of the discarded acid and potential negligence.The incident underscores the risks posed by improper disposal of industrialโ chemicals โand the potential forโ severe consequences to public health.
