It's notable in comparison that all the deadly organics lived together in an unlocked cupboard (vented OFC). I think the only thing I ever saw treated as more of a pariah than HF were radioactive isotopes. Those generally get an entire dedicated room with restricted entry and a tedious mandatory cleaning procedure.

Now, perhaps this chemist meant that no chemist in their right mind would physically touch HF--in that case, I agree completely!

But in practical terms the Z80 was a 4 um process node so unless you're willing to go back to the proverbial stone age it seems like you need semiconductors and lithography.