A woman in Hangzhou accidentally stepped on a highly toxic liquid hydrofluoric acid, commonly known as “bone-melting water,” while taking a walk, and passed away despite medical treatment. The official report stated that the container might have been waste chemicals unearthed during a relocation, prompting public scrutiny on the exposure of safety management loopholes by authorities.
On the evening of September 15, the Xianlin Street Office in Hangzhou reported that a 52-year-old woman suffered from poisoning after coming into contact with discarded hydrofluoric acid and unfortunately passed away on the 14th.
The Xianlin Street Office in Yuhang District, Hangzhou, reported that on September 9, a woman named Tu accidentally contacted the discarded hydrofluoric acid while entering a vacant lot near Xianlin Middle Road, leading to her poisoning and subsequent death on the early morning of September 14 despite rescue efforts. The police have initiated an investigation into the matter.
On September 16, ecological environment personnel from Xianlin Street Office mentioned that the incident site was being prepared for relocation, and it is possible that the waste chemicals were uncovered during the relocation process.
Personnel from the environmental department in Yuhang District stated that the woman accidentally stepped on a container containing hydrofluoric acid, and they are currently investigating the source of the container.
On September 14, a netizen named “LIV Yuanbao” revealed that on the morning of September 9, their mother accidentally stepped on a chemical substance while out for a walk, rendering her unable to walk on the spot. She was immediately taken to the hospital, but due to the severity of the situation, two hospitals were unable to treat her. She was then transferred to the Binjiang Campus of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, where she was diagnosed with hydrofluoric acid poisoning. In the afternoon at 3 o’clock, she began to experience heart failure and respiratory arrest. After being admitted to the ICU, she suffered heart and lung failure that same evening, underwent ECMO for resuscitation, and passed away six days later.
The netizen mentioned, “A palm-sized contact area of hydrofluoric acid is enough to be fatal, and my mother’s contact area was more than five times that size.”
According to public records, hydrofluoric acid is a water-soluble solution of hydrogen fluoride gas, colorless and transparent with a pungent odor, possessing extremely strong corrosiveness. It can corrode metals, glass, objects containing silicon, and even erode human bones, hence its colloquial name “bone-melting water.”
According to mainland media reports, in the incident area at the back mountain vacant lot in Xianlin Street of Yuhang District, Hangzhou, which is a remnant area from the relocation, during subsequent inspections, the police dug out two jars of the same type of hydrofluoric acid in the same area.
It is reported that the area where the incident occurred has been left without proper closure management for an extended period, and local residents often walk or plant vegetables in the vicinity without any warning signs of danger.
Regarding the official report, netizens questioned, “Hydrofluoric acid, as a highly toxic liquid, should have strict disposal procedures, yet it appeared in an open public area. The gaping hole in public safety is alarming. We can’t help but ask, where exactly is the bottom line for public safety in urban construction and management?” “This place in Yuhang is somewhat terrifying; not long ago, there was water contamination.”
“It’s truly an unexpected disaster.” “Hydrofluoric acid is highly toxic and should be regulated. How could hazardous waste be present in areas accessible to ordinary people? Hangzhou’s notification should be clearer, and investigations into the responsible parties and individuals should be transparent.” “It’s such a vague announcement without a clear start or end.”