Grenade, drum of hydrogen fluoride found on Singer Island beach

The Palm Beach Post ^ | December 9, 2015 | LuLu Ramadan

[liberalh8ter]

RIVIERA BEACH — A phosphorus grenade and a 55-gallon drum of hydrogen fluoride washed ashore on Singer Island Wednesday, Riviera Beach Fire Rescue reports.

A beachgoer found the material along the shore in Singer Island at about 11 a.m. The area has since been cleared and blocked off by city police and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office’s hazardous material unit, said fire rescue spokesman Dwayne Watson.

The drum of hydrogen fluoride was open, but investigators are unsure if it leaked into the water, Watson said.

[liberalh8ter]

I admit, I know nothing about chemicals....but given there was a grenade and a chemical compound that burns and blinds, thought this may be of interest.

[liberalh8ter]

Also, for reference, this is a popular place for immigrants to come ashore.

[NonValueAdded]

Will Walter White please pick up the white courtesy phone ... Walter White ...

[Rio]

A a Chemical Engineer, HF is one scary chemical. But if it’s in an OPEN drum that “washed ashore,” then it’s probably just sea water in a drum marked HF.

[Perseverando]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_fluoride

Hydrogen fluoride is a chemical compound with the chemical formula HF. This colorless gas or liquid is the principal industrial source of fluorine, often in the aqueous form as hydrofluoric acid, and thus is the precursor to many important compounds including pharmaceuticals and polymers (e.g. Teflon). HF is widely used in the petrochemical industry and is a component of many superacids. Hydrogen fluoride boils near room temperature, while other hydrogen halides evaporate at much lower temperatures. Unlike other hydrogen halides, HF is lighter than air and diffuses relatively quickly through porous substances.

Hydrogen fluoride is a highly dangerous gas, forming corrosive and penetrating hydrofluoric acid upon contact with living tissue. The gas can also cause blindness by rapid destruction of the corneas.

[FreeAtlanta]

There are going to be a lot of fishes with Whiter and Harder teeth!

[1Old Pro]

I have friends who live there. There is a public beach and many more private beach areas. I believe Jack Nicklaus lives on the North end.

[gwgn02]

http://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/riviera-beach/phosphorus-grenade-acid-drum-found-on-ocean-reef-park-on-singer-island

More at that link. Barrel(s) were found to be non-hazardous, and the grenade wasn’t considered to be seperate from them. Whatever all this means I don’t know, if it was some plan it was very ill conceived.

[gwgn02]

*was

[Smokin' Joe]

HF, also known as Hydroflouric acid is wicked stuff. It doesn't burn on contact like other acids, but burns deep and the latent effects can be fatal if the exposure is high enough.

MSDS

CDC on HF burn treatment

[liberalh8ter]

I agree...I have no idea if this means anything....just putting it out there.

[Smokin' Joe]

To clarify, it doesn’t give a burning sensation on contact like some other acids, even though damage is being done.

[TangoLimaSierra]

Whoa. I used to live on Singer Island.

[aces]

Very nice place...lived there when young..

[gwgn02]

I know, people would be amazed at the sort of things that wash up on beaches all the time, the oceans are dumping grounds, cruise ships, cargo vessels, military...its sort of very sad.

[liberalh8ter]

I know. Over the last couple of days, Cafe Bustelo coffee and Ramen noodle packages have been washing up however, I don't view that as having the potential to be harmful :-P

[gwgn02]

Ramen Noodles are high in saturated fat..careful! Lol

[liberalh8ter]

True...plus the little flavor package has lethal doses of sodium!

[Blood of Tyrants]

Is it the same as hydroflouric acid?

[Rio]

When dissolved in water, HF is hydrofluoric acid.