Chlorine is an element
used in industry and found in some household
products.
Chlorine is sometimes in the form of a poisonous
gas.
Chlorine gas can be pressurized
and cooled to change it into a liquid so
that it can be shipped and stored. When
liquid chlorine is released, it quickly
turns into a gas that stays close to the
ground and spreads rapidly.
Chlorine gas can be recognized
by its pungent, irritating odor, which is
like the odor of bleach. The strong smell
may provide an adequate warning to people
that they have been exposed.
Chlorine gas appears to be yellow-green
in color.
Chlorine itself is not flammable, but it
can react explosively or form explosive
compounds with other chemicals such as turpentine
and ammonia.
Where
chlorine is found and how it is used
Chlorine is an element
used in industry and found in some household
products.
Chlorine was used during
World War I as a choking (pulmonary) agent.
Chlorine is one of the most commonly manufactured
chemicals in the United States. Its most
important use is as a bleach in the manufacture
of paper and cloth, but it is also used
to make pesticides (insect killers), rubber,
and solvents.
Chlorine is used in drinking water and swimming
pool water to kill harmful bacteria. It
is also as used as part of the sanitation
process for industrial waste and sewage.
Household chlorine bleach can release chlorine
gas if it is mixed with other cleaning agents.
How people can
be exposed to chlorine
People’s risk
for exposure depends on how close they are
to the place where the chlorine was released.
If chlorine gas is released into the air,
people may be exposed through skin contact
or eye contact. They may also be exposed
by breathing air that contains chlorine.
If chlorine liquid is released into water,
people may be exposed by touching or drinking
water that contains chlorine.
If chlorine liquid comes into contact with
food, people may be exposed by eating the
contaminated food.
Chlorine gas is heavier than air, so it
would settle in low-lying areas.
How chlorine
works
The extent of poisoning
caused by chlorine depends on the amount
of chlorine a person is exposed to, how
the person was exposed, and the length of
time of the exposure.
When chlorine gas comes into contact with
moist tissues such as the eyes, throat,
and lungs, an acid is produced that can
damage these tissues.
Immediate signs
and symptoms of chlorine exposure
During or immediately
after exposure to dangerous concentrations
of chlorine, the following signs and symptoms
may develop:
Coughing
Chest tightness
Burning sensation in the nose, throat, and
eyes
Watery eyes
Blurred vision
Nausea and vomiting
Burning pain, redness, and blisters on the
skin if exposed to gas, skin injury similar
to frostbite if exposed to liquid chlorine
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
(may appear immediately if high concentrations
of chlorine gas are inhaled, or may be delayed
if low concentrations of chlorine gas are
inhaled)
Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) within
2 to 4 hours
Showing these signs
or symptoms does not necessarily mean that
a person has been exposed to chlorine.
What the long-term
health effects are:
Long-term complications
from chlorine exposure are not found in
people who survive a sudden exposure unless
they suffer complications such as pneumonia
during therapy. Chronic bronchitis may develop
in people who develop pneumonia during therapy.
How people can
protect themselves, and what they should
do if they are exposed to chlorine:
Leave the area where
the chlorine was released and get to fresh
air. Quickly moving to an area where fresh
air is available is highly effective in
reducing exposure to chlorine.
If the chlorine release was outdoors, move
away from the area where the chlorine was
released. Go to the highest ground possible,
because chlorine is heavier than air and
will sink to low-lying areas.
If
the chlorine release was indoors, get out
of the building.
If you think you may have been exposed,
remove your clothing, rapidly wash your
entire body with soap and water, and get
medical care as quickly as possible.
Removing and disposing of clothing:
Quickly take off clothing that has liquid
chlorine on it. Any clothing that has to
be pulled over the head should be cut off
the body instead of pulled over the head.
If possible, seal the clothing in a plastic
bag. Then seal the first plastic bag in
a second plastic bag. Removing and sealing
the clothing in this way will help protect
you and other people from any chemicals
that might be on your clothes.
If you placed your clothes in plastic bags,
inform either the local or state health
department or emergency personnel upon their
arrival. Do not handle the plastic bags.
If you are helping other people remove their
clothing, try to avoid touching any contaminated
areas, and remove the clothing as quickly
as possible.
Washing the body:
As quickly as possible, wash your entire
body with large amounts of soap and water.
Washing with soap and water will help protect
people from any chemicals on their bodies.
If your eyes are burning or your vision
is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water
for 10 to 15 minutes. If you wear contacts,
remove them before rinsing your eyes, and
place them in the bags with the contaminated
clothing. Do not put the contacts back in
your eyes. You should dispose of them even
if you do not wear disposable contacts.
If you wear eyeglasses, wash them with soap
and water. You can put the eyeglasses back
on after you wash them.
If you have ingested (swallowed) chlorine,
do not induce vomiting or drink fluids.
Seek medical attention right away. Dial
911 and explain what has happened.
How
chlorine exposure is treated:
No antidote exists for chlorine exposure.
Treatment consists of removing the chlorine
from the body as soon as possible and providing
supportive medical care in a hospital setting.
How people can
get more information about chlorine:
People can contact one of the following:
Regional poison control
center: 1-800-222-1222
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Public Response Hotline (CDC)
800-CDC-INFO
888-232-6348 (TTY)
E-mail inquiries: cdcinfo@cdc.gov
