Agent Name |
Chlorine |
CAS Number |
7782-50-5 |
Formula |
Cl2 |
Major Category |
Toxic Gases & Vapors |
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] |
Sources/Uses |
Used in water purification, paper manufacturing, and the synthesis of chlorinated hydrocarbons; [Levy, p. 554] |
Comments |
Liquid causes first degree burns on short exposure; [CHRIS] Listed as one of "major irritant airborne toxicants"; [LaDou, p. 523] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] When spilled in water �Chlorine dioxide, hydrate, frozen� can release Chlorine. [ERG 2008] A lachrymator; [CHEMINFO] Chlorine is fibrogenic to the lungs in the context of an acute inhalation exposure complicated by bronchiolitis obliterans. |
Reference Link |
ATSDR Medical Management Guidelines |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
TIH |
Yes |
TLV (ACGIH) |
0.5 ppm |
STEL (ACGIH) |
1 ppm |
PEL (OSHA) | Ceiling(OSHA) = 1 ppm |
MAK |
0.5 ppm |
IDLH (NIOSH) |
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]. |
Odor Threshold Low |
0.02 ppm |
Odor Threshold High |
3.4 ppm |
RD50 |
9 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 293 ppm/1 hr |
Explanatory Notes |
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 0.080 ppm); |
Half Life |
No reports found; [TDR, p. 308] |
Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
Flammability (NFPA) |
0: will not burn |
Adverse Effects |
Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
Fibrogenic |
Yes |
Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
Lacrimator |
Yes |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: CHLORINE
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