Common Name: Chlorine CAS Number: 7782-50-5 DOT Number: UN 1017 Date: January, 1989 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Chlorine can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and also tearing, coughing and chest pain. Higher levels burn the lungs and can cause a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and death. * Contact can severely burn the eyes and skin. * Repeated exposures or a single high exposure may permanently damage the lungs. It can also damage the teeth and cause a skin rash. IDENTIFICATION Chlorine is a greenish yellow gas with an irritating odor, or present in liquid solutions. It is used in making solvents, many chemicals, disinfectants, and chlorine bleach cleaners. REASON FOR CITATION * Chlorine is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, NIOSH, EPA, DOT, DEP and NFPA. * Definitions are attached. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting air samples. Under OSHA 1910.20, you have a legal right to obtain copies of sampling results from you employer. If you think you are experiencing any work related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. * ODOR THRESHOLD = 0.31 ppm. * The odor threshold only serves as a warning of exposure. Not smelling it does not mean you are not being exposed. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 1 ppm, not to be exceeded at any time. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 ppm, which should not be exceeded during any 15 minute period. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 1 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift and 3 ppm as a STEL (short term exposure limit). WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to liquid Chlorine or Chlorine solutions. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Chlorine to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Chlorine: * Exposure causes irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. It can include tearing, coughing, sputum, bloody nose, and chest pain. Higher levels cause a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and death. * Contact can severely burn the eyes and skin, causing permanent damage. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Chlorine and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Chlorine has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Chlorine has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Chlorine can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure may cause bronchitis to develop with cough, phlegm, and/or shortness of breath. * Long term exposure can damage the teeth. MEDICAL TESTING Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following are recommended: * Check teeth for signs of erosion. * Lung function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Lung function tests. * Consider chest xray after acute overexposure. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. Mixed Exposures Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health problems. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following controls are recommended: * Both the gas and liquid should be handled in an enclosed system. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document on Chlorine #76 176. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Chlorine should change into clean clothing promptly. * Work clothes contaminated with Chlorine liquid should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Chlorine. * Eyewash fountains in the immediate work area should be provided for emergency use when working with Chlorine liquids. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Chlorine is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Chlorine. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Eye Protection * Wear splashproof chemical goggles and face shield when working with Chlorine liquid. * Wear gas proof goggles and face shield if there is a possibility of exposure to the gas, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 0.5 ppm, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator equipped with a chemical cartridge specifically approved for CHLORINE or a gas mask with a CHLORINE canister. More protection is provided by powered air purifying respirators. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Chlorine, or in the case of a full facepiece respirator you experience eye irritation, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure the respirator to face seal is still good. If it is, replace the filter, cartridge, or canister. If the seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator. * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your workplace. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters, cartridges, or canisters, to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. * Where the potential for high exposures exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode. * Exposure to 25 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 25 ppm exists use an MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Chlorine you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Chlorine must be stored to avoid contact with GASOLINE and other PETROLEUM PRODUCTS, TURPENTINE, ALCOHOLS, ACETY LENE, HYDROGEN, AMMONIA and SULFUR, and finely divided METALS, since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area away from HEAT. Heat may cause containers to burst. Common Name: Chlorine DOT Number: UN 1017 DOT Emergency Guide code: 20 CAS Number: 7782-50-5 ---------------------------------------- NFPA Hazard Rating FLAMMABILITY 0 REACTIVITY 0 ---------------------------------------- POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for the type of surrounding fire. Chlorine itself dose not burn. Use water to keep fire exposed containers cool. * POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Chlorine is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. * Ventilate area of spill or leak. * If the gas is leaked, STOP THE FLOW OF GAS. If the source of the leak is a cylinder and the leak cannot be stopped in place, remove the leaking cylinder to a safe place in the open air, and, repair the leak or allow the cylinder to empty. Emergency leak kits are available. Leaking gas can be passed through a reducing agent (sodium bisulfite) and sodium bicarbonate solution with a trap in the line. * If in liquid form, collect for reclamation. Absorb in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or similar material. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Chlorine as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water. Continue without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area with large amounts of soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. * Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. * Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 4,800 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC) Water Solubility: Slightly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Chlorine Other Names and Formulations: Dichlorine; Molecular Chlorine. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Chlorine is a natural element of common occurrence. It is produced as a gas to be used extensively as a fabric bleach, for purifying water, for disinfecting, and for making synthetic rubber, plastics, and a large number of chlorinated chemicals. Discharges of chlorine to water are common because it is used to disinfect effluents, to control fouling organisms in cooling water systems, and in various industrial processes, particularly in the food and paper industries. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Chlorine has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the short-term effects of chlorine on plants, birds, or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Chlorine has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the long-term effects of chlorine to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Chlorine is highly soluble in water. Concentrations of 1,000 milligrams and more will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Chlorine is non-persistent in water with a half-life of less than 2 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. Chlorine is not expected to accumulate in fish tissues. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.