Chlorine

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

OSHA EMERGENCY OVERVIEW DANGER! Poisonous, corrosive liquid and gas under pressure. Harmful or fatal if inhaled. Causes eye, skin, and respiratory tract burns. Can support combustion. Self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing must be worn by rescue workers. Under ambient conditions; this is a greenish-yellow gas with a pungent, irritating, choking odor. OSHA REGULATORY STATUS: This material is considered hazardous by the OSHA Hazard Communications Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).

Potential health effects

Effects of a Single (Acute) Overexposure Inhalation. Overexposure to concentrations moderately above the TLV of 1 ppm irritates the eyes and respiratory tract. Very brief exposure to a concentration of 1000 ppm may be fatal. Acts as an asphyxiant at high concentrations. Inhalation of high concentrations (e.g., greater than 15 ppm) causes choking, coughing, burning of the throat, and severe irritation of the upper respiratory tract; additionally, pulmonary edema, bronchitis, and pneumonitis may result. Lack of oxygen can kill. Skin Contact. May severely irritate the skin, causing ulceration, chemical burns, and scarring. Repeated exposure may produce dermatitis. With prolonged or widespread contact, the skin may absorb potentially harmful amounts of material. Swallowing. An unlikely route of exposure; this product is a gas at normal temperature and pressure. May cause chemical burns of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Copyright © 1979, 1983, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2009, Praxair Technology, Inc. Eye Contact. May severely inflame the conjunctiva, injuring the lens and causing corneal opacity and iris atrophy. Effects of Repeated (Chronic) Overexposure. Repeated exposure may cause progressive lung dysfunction. Exposure may also corrode teeth and may cause a chloracne-like condition. Other Effects of Overexposure. None known.

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

Overexposure. Inhalation may aggravate asthma, inflammatory or fibrotic pulmonary disease, and heart disease. Skin contact may aggravate existing dermatitis. CARCINOGENICITY: Chlorine is not listed by NTP, OSHA, or IARC.

Environmental effects

None known. For further information, see section 12, Ecological Information.