Chlorine

Synonyms

Molecular chlorine; [NIOSH] Bertholite; [ChemIDplus] UN1017

Category

Oxidizers

Description

Greenish-yellow gas with a pungent, irritating odor; Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas; [NIOSH] Vapor density = 2.48 (heavier than air); [HSDB]

Sources/Uses

Used in water purification, paper manufacturing, and the synthesis of chlorinated hydrocarbons; [Levy, p. 409] Also used in shrink-proofing wool; [ACGIH]

Comments

“The TLV-STEL is based on D’Alessandro et al. (1996) findings of significant pulmonary function changes in 10 human volunteers, 5 with airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) and 5 without AHR after 60-minute exposures to 1 ppm Cl2. Lung function changes did not persist when measured after 24 hours.” [ACGIH] Liquid causes first degree burns on short exposure; [CHRIS] Listed as one of "major irritant airborne toxicants"; [LaDou, p. 563] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] When spilled in water “Chlorine dioxide, hydrate, frozen” can release large amounts of Chlorine. [ERG 2016] A lachrymator; [CHEMINFO] Causes lachrymation; [ICSC] Chlorine is fibrogenic to the lungs in the context of an acute inhalation exposure complicated by bronchiolitis obliterans.

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

Yes

0.1 ppm

0.4 ppm

Ceiling(OSHA) = 1 ppm

0.5 ppm

10 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Exposures to 30 ppm have been reported to cause intense coughing fits and exposure to 40 to 60 ppm for 30 to 60 minutes or more may cause serious damage [ILO 1971]. A concentration of 34 to 51 ppm has been reported to be lethal in 1 to 1.5 hours [Freitag 1941] while 14 to 21 ppm has been suggested as being dangerous within 0.5 to 1 hour [NPIRI 1983].

0.2 ppm

Odor Threshold High

0.4 ppm

9 ppm

LC50 (rat) = 293 ppm/1 hr

Explanatory Notes

Mean detection odor threshold = 0.080 ppm; [AIHA]; Odor threshold = 0.2 to 0.4 ppm; [ACGIH]

No reports found; [TDR, p. 308]

Reference Link #2

will not burn

1 ppm

3 ppm

20 ppm

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Skin burns

Not Classifiable

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Bronchiolitis obliterans
• Pneumonitis, toxic
• Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Petroleum Production and Refining
• Photographic Processing
• Pulp and Paper Processing
• Sewer and Wastewater Treatment
• Textiles (Fiber & Fabric Manufacturing)
• Using Disinfectants or Biocides

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure:

• Intalagio printing