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The objective of this work was to assess the influence of varying dosages of hydrogen fluoride (HF) inhaled on the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the lesions produced, and to attempt to characterize the pathogenetic mechanisms involved. A gross and microscopic study was made of the major viscera of 32 rats exposed to lethal dosages 42 exposed to nonlethal dosages, and 18 non-exposed controls. The lung tissues from 4 rabbits, 2 exposed to nonlethal ranges and 2 not exposed, were also examined. Distinctive hepatic and renal lesions that may have diagnostic, therapeutic, and experimental pathologic significance were studied, following exposure of rats to lethal dosages of HF vapor. Severe local effects of contact were also observed. Brief, single exposures of rats to HF vapor produced both local and systemic pathologic effects. The systemic effects apparently represented a form of fluoride ion poisoning. The systemic lesions produced were (1) renal tubular necrosis and (2) distinctive hepatocellular globular change. The renal tubular lesions were confined to those portions of the proximal convoluted tubules in the inner cortex of the rat kidney. The demonstrated local effects included necrosis with accompanying acute inflammation of the skin and of the anterior aspects of the nasal passageways. (Author)