CDC | Facts About Chlorine (2024)

What chlorine is

  • 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 adequate warning to people that they are 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 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 certain other cleaning agents.
  • Chlorine was used during World War I as a choking (pulmonary) agent.

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 also may 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:
    • Blurred vision
    • Burning pain, redness, and blisters on the skin if exposed to gas. Skin injuries similar to frostbite can occur if it is exposed to liquid chlorine
    • Burning sensation in the nose, throat, and eyes
    • Coughing
    • Chest tightness
    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Thesemay appear immediately if high concentrations of chlorine gas are inhaled, or they may be delayed if low concentrations of chlorine gas are inhaled.
    • Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) that may be delayed for a few hours
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Watery eyes
    • Wheezing
  • 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 may occur after breathing in high concentrations of chlorine. Complications are more likely to be seen in people who develop severe health problems such as fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) following the initial exposure.

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 swallowed (ingested) chlorine, do not induce vomiting or drink fluids.
  • Seek medical attention right away. Consider dialing 911 and explaining 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 such as inhaled breathing treatments for wheezing 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
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
CDC | Facts About Chlorine (2024)

FAQs

Which is the threshold limit value of chlorine? ›

ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 0.5 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 1 ppm as a STEL (short-term exposure limit).

What is chlorine CDC? ›

Chlorine (Cl₂) is a greenish-yellow gas with a pungent, irritating odor. Exposure to low levels of chlorine can result in nose, throat, and eye irritation. At higher levels, breathing chlorine gas may result in changes in breathing rate and coughing, and damage to the lungs.

How much chlorine do you have to inhale for it to be poisonous? ›

Concentrations of about 400 ppm and beyond are generally fatal over 30 minutes, and at 1,000 ppm and above, fatality ensues within only a few minutes. A spectrum of clinical findings may be present in those exposed to high levels of chlorine.

How much chlorine exposure is too much? ›

But excessive exposure to chlorine can cause sickness and injuries, including rashes, coughing, nose or throat pain, eye irritation and bouts of asthma, health experts warn. Instructions for safely chlorinating a pool usually call for a maximum of four parts per million when people are in the pool.

What are the 3 categories of threshold limit values? ›

Three categories of TLVs are specified: Time Weighted Average (TWA), Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL), and a Ceiling (C).

What is maximum threshold limit? ›

Threshold Limit means the maximum amount of benefits that an Insured can receive during a Benefit Year and still be entitled to receive the Carryover Benefit.

How much chlorine is needed to treat water? ›

To disinfect water, add one part of the chlorine solution to each 100 parts of water you are treating. This is about the same as adding 1 pint (16 ounces) of the chlorine solution to 12.5 gallons of water.

Is chlorine toxic or hazardous? ›

Gaseous chlorine is poisonous and classified as a pulmonary irritant. It has intermediate water solubility with the capability of causing acute damage to the upper and lower respiratory tract. Most incidents of chlorine exposure are through accidental industrial or household exposures.

Who chlorine guidelines? ›

However, as high concentrations of chlorine may be harmful to public health, the WHO recommends that chlorine levels in drinking-water should not exceed 5 mg/L9.

What should I do if I breathed in chlorine? ›

Chlorine poisoning is a medical emergency. If a person swallows or inhales a chlorine-based product and shows symptoms of poisoning, contact the emergency services or go to the hospital immediately. In the United States, a person can also contact the National Poison Control helpline on 1-800-222-1222 for advice.

Can swallowing chlorine hurt you? ›

Chlorine is a chemical that prevents bacteria from growing. Chlorine poisoning occurs when someone swallows or breathes in (inhales) chlorine.

Can chlorine be absorbed through the skin? ›

Touching – The skin does not absorb chlorine well, but small amounts can pass through the skin when people are exposed to chlorine gas, bleach, or come into contact with water or soil containing high levels of chlorine.

How much chlorine is safe? ›

Chlorine levels up to 4 milligrams per liter (mg/L or 4 parts per million (ppm)) are considered safe in drinking water . At this level, harmful health effects are unlikely to occur.

Can you swim with chlorine at 10 ppm? ›

Chlorine is a chemical used to sanitise pool water to keep it free from nasties. Optimal chlorine levels are between 2-4 ppm, but as high as 10 ppm is still swimmable, just a little uncomfortable.

Is it OK to swim in a pool with high chlorine? ›

Having too much chlorine in your pool water can be dangerous. Exposure to high levels of chlorine can cause lung irritation, skin and eye damage, and provoke asthma. Not only is it bad for your health, but it can be bad for your pool due to the increase in chlorine.

What happens if threshold limit is exceeded? ›

The amount of payment upto which no TDS required is called the threshold limit. Only if the payment exceeds the prescribed limit, then TDS provisions will be applicable. For example, as per the provisions of Section 194J, no TDS required to be deducted if payment of professional fees do not exceed Rs, 30,000/-.

How do you calculate threshold limit? ›

Measurement of TLV

The units of the Threshold Limit Values are measured in parts per million (ppm) for gases and in milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m³) for subatomic particles such as smoke, dust and mist. The esteemed formula for converting between ppm and mg/m³ for gases is ppm = (mg/m^3) * 24.45 / molecular weight.

Do all chemicals have a permissible exposure limit? ›

The Permissible Exposure Limit is a standard set by OSHA establishing safe levels of exposure to a hazardous substance. These legally-enforceable limits currently apply to fewer than 500 chemicals used in commercial products, industry, and research.

What is minimum threshold amount? ›

(B) Minimum threshold amount In this paragraph, the term “minimum threshold amount” means an amount, to be determined by the Commissioner, which shall not exceed the amount sufficient to demonstrate that an individual has rendered services in a month, as determined by the Commissioner under section 422(c)(4)(A) of this ...

What is threshold exemption limit? ›

As per GST terms, Threshold limit means limit which allows the person to do business without obtaining registration under GST. Threshold Exemption means Exemption which allows the person to do business without obtaining registration under GST.

What does threshold limit mean? ›

A threshold limit value refers to airborne concentrations and represents conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed day after day without adverse effect.

How long does chlorine stay in tap water? ›

If you are sure your tap water contains chlorine and not chloramine, you can let the water sit for 1-5 days to allow all the chlorine to evaporate. To speed up the evaporation process, aerate the water with an air stone for 12-24 hours or boil the water for 15-20 minutes.

How long does chlorine last in water? ›

If you decide to place the water in a jug that's left open in the refrigerator, the chlorine should evaporate completely within 24 hours. For quicker evaporation times, leave the water at room temperature.

How damaging is chlorine? ›

In fact, chlorine can be harmful to your eyes, hair, nails, lungs, and yes, even your skin. Not only that, but depending on your age, existing skin condition, and several other factors including the balance of chemicals in the water, chlorine can be anything from irritating to extremely harmful to your skin.

How does chlorine affect the brain? ›

Chlorine bleach exposure was associated with impaired neurobehavioral functions and elevated POMS scores and symptom frequencies. Alternatives to chlorine should be used.

Can chlorine cause health problems? ›

Chlorine does not get into the body through your skin. The amount of chlorine in the water is too low to cause breathing problems. Some people who are very sensitive to chlorine could experience skin irritation.

WHO guidelines for free chlorine? ›

The guideline value for free chlorine in drinking-water is derived from a NOAEL of 15 mg/kg of body weight per day, based on the absence of toxicity in rodents that received chlorine as hypochlorite in drinking-water for up to 2 years (18).

How much chlorine is sufficient for direct chlorination? ›

An ideal system supplies free chlorine at a concentration of 0.3-0.5 mg/l.

What is the do's and don'ts of chlorine? ›

Don't breathe chlorine gas, fumes, vapor, or spray. Don't use or store chlorine tonners or cylinders in wet and muddy area. Do not eat, drink, or smoke when handling Chlorine gas. Don't allow trucks with leaky tonners or cylinders in the factory premises.

Do lungs heal from chlorine? ›

Reports from such civilian chlorine disasters have often stated that the victims were generally able to fully recover or presented with relatively normal lung function at longer times after exposure.

How do you clear chlorine from your lungs? ›

If you accidentally swallow chlorine, drink milk or water immediately, unless you experience vomiting or convulsions. If you inhale chlorine, seek fresh air as soon as possible. Going to the highest possible ground to seek fresh air is helpful because chlorine is heavier than air.

How long does chlorine gas stay in lungs? ›

Acute exposure

Most people with mild-to-moderate exposure recover fully in 3-5 days, although some develop chronic problems such as reactive airway disease.

Is it OK to accidentally swallow chlorine water? ›

“Swallowing a small amount of pool water is usually fairly harmless, but it's important to avoid it as much as possible due to parasites that might be lurking in the water,” explains Dr Daniel Cichi, from Doctor4U. Pool water is treated with chlorine to keep germs and bacteria at bay, making it safe to swim in.

Is it OK to drink swimming pool water? ›

“In addition to chlorine, which is found in most pools, swallowing some pool water or getting it up your nose could expose you to E. coli, norovirus and parasites like Giardia, Cryptosporidium and Shigella,” explained Geisinger primary care physician Dr.

Can dogs drink pool water? ›

Most swimming pools have a low chlorine level and are therefore not usually harmful to dogs in small amounts. That said, anything in excess can be a problem. If your dog drinks too much chorinated water, this can cause irritation that may lead to vomiting and esophagus erosion.

What removes chlorine from the body? ›

Simply showering with soap and shampoo after you get of the pool will go a long way, too, toward getting most of the chlorine out. You can also mix a small bit of Vitamin C crystals with your body wash or shampoo to create your own swim shampoo and wash.

What happens if you don't wash chlorine off your body? ›

Not removing chlorine can make your skin (and hair) dry out, stripping the natural, protective oils from your skin and leaving you itchy and dry, particularly if you're already prone to sensitive skin.

How fast does your body absorb chlorine? ›

Average Skin Absorption Versus Oral Ingestion
Skin AbsorptionExposure Time
Adult Bathing63%15 min
Infant Bathing40%15 Min
Child Swimming88%1 Hour
Overall Average64%

What is the highest chlorine level safe? ›

The ideal level of free chlorine in the swimming pool is 2 to 4 ppm. 1 to 5 ppm is acceptable and 9 ppm is on the high side. 9 ppm would likely be safe to swim, but could be more of an irritant. Ideally, the level would be alllowed to come down to 5 ppm before swimmers are allowed to swim.

What is the highest safe chlorine level for pool? ›

Regardless of how frequently or what system you use to add chlorine to the water, the chlorine level should stay between 1.0 and 3.0 parts per million (ppm) to maintain a healthy pool. Anything higher will make you run the risk of red eyes and swimmers itch.

Is pool chlorine 100% chlorine? ›

What is Chlorine Gas? Chlorine gas is the most potent form of chlorine product as it is 100% chlorine. It is used by pool maintenance professionals and public pool complexes to raise free chlorine levels very efficiently, compared to chlorine acid liquid solutions.

What chlorine level is too high to swim? ›

What chlorine level too high to swim in? Don't swim in water with chlorine levels above 10 ppm. Otherwise, you run the risk of serious skin irritation and lots of discomfort. Levels of around 5 ppm are still high but are generally safe for swimming.

What happens if you swim in a pool with low chlorine? ›

However, long-term use of a pool lacking chlorinated H2O could make you sick or, at the very least, contribute to rashes and other types of skin irritation. You could also be at risk if you have an open sore or cut, so it's ultimately best to swim in a pool with chlorine and other properly balanced chemicals.

How much liquid chlorine does it take to raise 1 ppm? ›

It takes 1 ounce of chlorine in 7,500 gallons of water to equal 1 ppm. We will divide 30,000 gallons by 7,500 to get 4.

What is more important free chlorine or total chlorine? ›

In order for your pool to be properly sanitized, the free chlorine level must remain higher than the combined chlorine level. This is why it's so important to test your pool water regularly.

Does chlorine raise or lower pH? ›

Using liquid chlorine raises the pH of the water.

When added to water, liquid chlorine (which has a pH of 13) makes HOCl (hypochlorous acid – the killing form of chlorine) and NaOH (sodium hydroxide), which raises pH.

Will baking soda lower chlorine level in pool? ›

She says: 'Contrary to popular belief, baking soda does not directly decrease the chlorine levels of a swimming pool, but aids in the neutralization process of chlorine. One of the high alkaline chemicals is baking soda and adding this to your swimming pool will increase the water's pH and alkalinity.

What is Threshold Limit Value? ›

What are TLVs? TLVs are the maximum average airborne concentration of a hazardous material to which healthy adult workers can be exposed during an 8-hour workday and 40-hour workweek—over a working lifetime—without experiencing significant adverse health effects.

How do you find the threshold limit? ›

Measurement of TLV

The units of the Threshold Limit Values are measured in parts per million (ppm) for gases and in milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m³) for subatomic particles such as smoke, dust and mist. The esteemed formula for converting between ppm and mg/m³ for gases is ppm = (mg/m^3) * 24.45 / molecular weight.

What is threshold limit value in insurance? ›

A 15-minute, time -weighted average concentration to which workers may be exposed up to four times per day with at least 60 minutes between successive exposures with no ill effect if the TLV-TWA (see below) is not exceeded.

What is the threshold limit value quizlet? ›

is the maximum concentration of a hazardous material that a person can be exposed to in 15-minute intervals.

What is risk threshold limit? ›

In simple terms, risk threshold is the maximum amount of risk that an individual can take. In other words, it is the risk-bearing capacity or the risk appetite of an individual.

What is the 10% threshold? ›

10% Threshold means, with respect to a Beneficial Owner of Capital Stock as of an applicable date, Securities Law Beneficial Ownership of ten percent (10%) or more of the Capital Stock.

Is threshold means minimum or maximum? ›

A threshold is an amount, level, or limit on a scale. When the threshold is reached, something else happens or changes.

Who sets threshold limit value? ›

A set of threshold limit values (TLVs) is published in the United States by the ACGIH. The TLV system is widely used, not only in the United States but also in many other countries.

What is threshold value with example? ›

The value of the threshold is defined by two factors: the trigger, and how long the threshold must have triggered for. For example, for the errors threshold, you might consider that the trigger is 5 errors per second. The duration might be 4 out of the previous 10 minutes.

What is catastrophe limit? ›

The highest amount of money you have to pay out of your pocket during a certain period of time for certain covered charges. Setting a maximum amount you will have to pay protects you.

What is Threshold Limit Value Class 8? ›

Solution : Threshold limit value (TLV) is the permissible limit of concentration of any environment pollutant beyond which it may cause adverse effect on living organism. TLV value of CO, `CO_2` and phosgene are 50 ppm, 5000 ppm and 0.1 ppm.

What is a critical limit quizlet? ›

Critical Control Point. The value or range to which a parameter is controlled. Critical Limit. An agent that is likely to cause harm or illness.

What is threshold quizlet? ›

Threshold. refers to a point above which a stimulus is perceived and below which it is not perceived. It determines when we first become aware of a stimulus. Absolute Threshold. the intensity of a stimulus such that a person will have a 50% chance of detection it.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ray Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 5857

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ray Christiansen

Birthday: 1998-05-04

Address: Apt. 814 34339 Sauer Islands, Hirtheville, GA 02446-8771

Phone: +337636892828

Job: Lead Hospitality Designer

Hobby: Urban exploration, Tai chi, Lockpicking, Fashion, Gunsmithing, Pottery, Geocaching

Introduction: My name is Ray Christiansen, I am a fair, good, cute, gentle, vast, glamorous, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.