Chlorine

TLV 1ppm. Characteristics:- Chlorine is a greenish gas with a pungent odour & is moderately soluble in the water. Uses:- 1) Manufacture of paper 2) Dis Infectant of Water 3) For Waste Treatment 4) To Manufacture PVC 5) Widely used in Manufacture of various Chemicals 6) Manufacture Organo Chlorine compounds. Effects according to ppm. ppm 0.2 ppm 3 to 15 ppm 15 to 150 ppm 400 to 500 ppm 1,000 ppm Effects Odor can be detected Irritant effect on eyes & Mucous Membrane May be dangerous after 5 to 10 minutes of inhalation Fetal for 50% of healthy people for 30 minutes of inhalation Fetal within few breaths

Chlorine is a strong Oxidizing Agent, & when dissolved in tissue water will produce Hypochlorites & Hydrogen Chloride (HCl), as well as damaging oxygen free radicals. Toxic Effects:- A) Acute:- 1) Irritation of Mucous Membrane, Eyes, Nose, Throat 2) Productive Cough 3) Choking 4) Substernal Pain & Tightness 5) Abdominal Pain, Nausea, Vomiting 6) Laryngeal Edema 7) Pulmonary Edema 8) Hypoxemia 9) Restrictive & Obstructive Diseases of Lungs due to Bronchospasm & Interstetial Edema 10) Death due to Respiratory Failure or Cardiac Arrest due to Non Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema 11) Irritation & Necrosis of Skin & may cause Erythema & First Degree Burns 12) Syncope:- Chlorine Dioxide is 10 times more toxic than Chlorine. 0.1 ppm is used for paper mil. Treatment (Hospital Management):- A) Immediate Decontamination:1) Remove all contaminated Clothing 2) Through washing of Skin & Eyes B) Assessment of Patient:- a) Examine Mucous Membrane, Eyes, Skin etc. for signs of Corrosive Injury b) Check Lung sounds, Peak Flow & Vital Signs c) Brief Medical History C) Initial Treatment:- a) Oxygen Inhalation:- Humidified 100% Oxygen inhalation & subsequently oxygene percentage should be adjusted as per the comfort of patient. b) Broncho Dilators mainly Salbutamol or Terbutalin by nebulizers. c) Corticosteroids if needed d) If there is laryngeal edema:- i) Corticosteroids

ii) Intubation if needed. e) If there is Pulmonary Edema:-i) Humidified O2 by face mask ii) If Po2 Still cannot be maintained above 60 mm of Hg, or Respiratory rate is more than 40 BPM, intubate the trachea and start Mechanical Ventilation. iii) Iv Fluids should be given with great caution which may cause fluid overload & if it is so forced diuretics like Furosemide can be given.