Fatal Hydrofluoric Acid Ingestion: A Suicide Case Report

Abstract

Numerous reports of poisonings due to various fluoride salts and also to hydrofluoric acid have appeared in the literature. Hydrofluoric acid, which is recognized as a strong acid, is expected to cause severe burns following acute exposure. This case is reported because the expected burns were not observed, but the laboratory analysis (a blood fluoride concentration of 13 mg/L) supported the ruling of death due to ingestion of hydrofluoric acid.