Oral decontamination with calcium or magnesium salts does not improve survival following hydrofluoric acid ingestion.

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) ingestion may result in rapid death from systemic fluoride poisoning. Because fluoride binds calcium and magnesium, oral administration of calcium or magnesium salts has been suggested as useful therapy for HF ingestion. This study evaluates oral administration of calcium and magnesium salts for the prevention or attenuation of acute HF toxicity following oral exposure in a mouse model. Mixed breed CF-1 mice were randomized to treatment with a lethal-dose HF premixed with calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, or deionized water by gavage. Average survival time for the three groups was the same. This study suggests that calcium- or magnesium-containing solutions do not alter the toxic effect of HF following oral exposure.