Alternatives to HF-based Car and Truck wash solutions needed

[saskiavb]

"Occupational exposure to HF-based wash solutions can result in chemical burns, disability, and death. HF's potential to cause severe injury combined with the inherent challenge of relying on PPE to protect workers warrants efforts to identify less hazardous alternatives, which would provide the most effective means of prevention."

from: Occupational Hydrofluoric Acid Injury from Car and Truck Washing — Washington State, 2001–2013

additional info:

http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/research/pubs/ByHazard.asp?SB=Z&T=70

[mmbecker]

I was surprised to learn from your post that HF is used for auto cleaning so I started to look around on the web for more info and ideas for alternatives. In this article http://www.carwash.org/docs/default-source/safety-resources/hf-study.pdf?sfvrsn=2 -  Section 10 has info on recommendations and possible alternatives to hydrofluoric acid, including a good set of performance criteria for alternatives.