when to seek treatment to clorine gas exposure

Treating chlorine poisoning Seek medical assistance immediately if you or your child comes into contact with chlorine. Don’t try to induce vomiting unless instructed by poison control or a medical professional. If you get chlorine on your skin, immediately wash it with soap and water.

Full Answer

What should I do if I am exposed to 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.

Which medications are used in the treatment of chlorine gas exposure?

Nebulized, 4% sodium bicarbonate may prove helpful as an adjunct treatment of chlorine gas exposure, although experience with this treatment is limited. Research has not yet proven any benefit to corticosteroids nor the administration of systemic nitrites as a treatment for chlorine gas exposure.

What is chlorine/chloramine gas exposure?

Chlorine and chloramine gas are frequently produced in the home when cleaning products are mixed. These gases are strong irritants with the potential for tissue damage. Numerous literature citations report industrial exposures to chlorine/amine gas, but there are few reports regarding home exposures.

How can we reduce chlorine gas exposure?

Attempts to reduce chlorine gas exposures focus on three strategies. First, improved transportation safety of a large volume of liquid chlorine, typically transported by rail. Second, development and adherence to strict industrial protocols for the use of chlorine to prevent inadvertent industrial exposure.

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Should I go to the hospital if I inhaled chlorine gas?

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.

How long does it take to recover from inhaling chlorine gas?

After acute exposure, pulmonary function usually returns toward baseline within 7 to 14 days. While complete recovery generally occurs, symptoms and prolonged pulmonary impairment may persist. Exposure to chlorine gas can lead to reactive airways dysfunction (RADS), a chemical irritant-induced type of asthma.

What do I do if I accidentally made chlorine gas?

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 poisoning last for?

High-level Exposures 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.

Can lungs recover from chlorine gas?

Some individuals exposed to chlorine experience a full recovery from acute injury, whereas others develop persistent adverse effects, such as respiratory symptoms, inflammation, and lung-function decrements.

How do you treat a chemical inhalation?

Treatment for inhalation exposures Ventilate the area. Open the windows and turn on the fan. Leave the area and get fresh air. Fresh air may resolve many uncomfortable symptoms.

How to treat chlorine poisoning?

Share on Pinterest. If chlorine contaminates the skin, a person should wash the affected area with soap and water. If the poisoning is due to chlorine gas, leave the area immediately and move somewhere where there is clean air, which may mean going outside.

What to do if you swallowed chlorine?

If a person has swallowed chlorine, do not drink any fluids or attempt to force the chlorine out by vomiting. After following these steps, seek immediate medical advice before taking further action. Doctors usually treat people with chlorine poisoning in the hospital emergency department.

What are the symptoms of chlorine poisoning?

nausea and vomiting. blood in vomit or stools. rapid changes in blood pressure. skin irritation and blisters. pulmonary edema, which is a build-up of fluid in the lungs. Diagnosing chlorine poisoning is usually straightforward as symptoms develop rapidly after ingestion or inhalation of the chemical.

How to test for chlorine in the body?

To assess the impact of the chlorine on the person’s body, a doctor may order one or more of the following tests: chest X-ray. bronchoscopy.

What is chlorine used for?

For example, manufacturers use chlorine to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a common type of plastic. Chlorine is also crucial in the manufacture of around 85 percent of pharmaceutical products. In the home, a person can find chlorine in: bleaches. cleaning products.

How do I contact the National Poison Control Service?

In the United States, a person can also contact the National Poison Control helpline on 1-800-222-1222 for advice. This service is confidential and free of charge. In this article, we discuss the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of chlorine poisoning.

Is chlorine poisonous?

Although these products are safe when handled correctly, chlorine is poisonous and swallowing or in haling it can cause harm. 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.

How is chlorine treated?

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.

What happens if you get exposed to chlorine?

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.

How to get rid of chlorine in clothing?

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.

How does chlorine poisoning work?

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.

How does chlorine gas change?

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.

Why is chlorine used in swimming pools?

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.

What happens if you breathe chlorine gas?

Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) that may be delayed for a few hours. Nausea and vomiting. Watery eyes.

How to reduce chlorine gas exposure?

First, improved transportation safety of a large volume of liquid chlorine, typically transported by rail. Second, development and adherence to strict industrial protocols for the use of chlorine to prevent inadvertent industrial exposure.

What is chlorine gas used for?

Chlorine gas is also used to make dyes, textiles, paint, and even medications. Chlorine gas is pressurized and cooled for easy storage in liquid form.   When released, the liquid form of chlorine quickly turns into yellow-green colored gas with an irritating odor.

What is the reaction of chlorine and water?

Hypochlorous and hydrochloric acid cause most of the toxic effects attributed to chlorine gas. These acids are produced by the reaction of chlorine (Cl2) with water. [4] Cl2+ H2O <--> HCl + HOCl <--> 2HCl + O-.

How much chlorine is toxic?

Toxicity to chlorine gas depends on the dose and duration of exposure.   At concentrations of 1 to 3 ppm, chlorine gas acts as an eye and oral mucous membrane irritant; at 15 ppm, there is an onset of pulmonary symptoms, and it can be fatal at 430 ppm within 30 minutes. [1]

How many deaths were caused by chlorine gas?

Exposure to chlorine gas at the site of the accident resulted in 9 fatalities and 520 visits to local emergency departments in Graniteville, South Carolina. [3] Chlorine gas is also the most frequent cause of major toxic release incidents internationally.

What is the chemical that produces chlorine gas?

The combination of bleach (sodium hypochlorite) with acid produces chlorine gas, a heavy green-yellow gas with a strong odor. Chlorine gas has also been used as an industrial solvent and has other industrial uses such as the production of bulk materials, bleached paper products, plastics such as PVC, and solvents.

How long does it take for a person to get edema from chlorine?

Pulmonary edema appears to be the most common cause of morbidity for moderate-to-severe exposures. This usually occurs within 2 to 4 hours of exposure to moderate chlorine concentration (25 to 50 ppm) or 30 to 60 minutes of severe exposure (greater than 50 ppm).

What is chlorine gas?

At room temperature, chlorine is a yellow-green gas with a pungent irritating odor. Under increased pressure or at temperatures below -30ºF, it is a clear, amber-colored liquid. It is generally shipped in steel cylinders as a compressed liquid. Chlorine is only slightly soluble in water, but on contact with moisture it forms hypochlorous acid (HClO) and hydrochloric acid (HCl); the unstable HClO readily decomposes, forming oxygen free radicals. Because of these reactions, water substantially enhances chlorine's oxidizing and corrosive effects.

How long should you irrigate your eyes with chlorine?

Chlorine-exposed eyes should be irrigated for at least 15 minutes. Test visual acuity and examine the eyes for corneal damage and treat appropriately. Immediately consult an ophthalmologist for patients who have corneal injuries.

How does chlorine affect the airways?

Chlorine is water soluble and therefore, primarily removed by the upper airways. Exposure to low concentrations of chlorine (1 to 10 ppm) may cause eye and nasal irritation, sore throat, and coughing. Inhalation of higher concentrations of chlorine gas (>15 ppm) can rapidly lead to respiratory distress with airway constriction and accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). Patients may have immediate onset of rapid breathing, blue discoloration of the skin, wheezing, rales or hemoptysis. In symptomatic patients, pulmonary injury may progress over several hours. Lung collapse may occur. The lowest lethal concentration for a 30-minute exposure has been estimated as 430 ppm. Exposure to chlorine can lead to reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS), a chemical irritant-induced type of asthma.

How to administer supplemental oxygen?

Administer supplemental oxygen by mask to patients who have respiratory symptoms. Treat patients who have bronchospasm with aerosolized bronchodilators. The use of bronchial sensitizing agents in situations of multiple chemical exposures may pose additional risks. Consider the health of the myocardium before choosing which type of bronchodilator should be administered. Cardiac sensitizing agents may be appropriate; however, the use of cardiac sensitizing agents after exposure to certain chemicals may pose enhanced risk of cardiac arrhythmias (especially in the elderly). Chlorine poisoning is not known to pose additional risk during the use of bronchial or cardiac sensitizing agents.

How is chlorine made?

Chlorine is produced commercially by electrolysis of sodium chloride brine. It is among the ten highest volume chemicals manufactured in the United States, with 1998 production in excess of 14 million tons.

Is chlorine corrosive?

The toxic effects of chlorine are primarily due to its corrosive properties. The action of chlorine is due to its strong oxidizing capability, in which chlorine splits hydrogen from water in moist tissue, causing the release of nascent oxygen and hydrogen chloride which produce major tissue damage. Alternatively, chlorine may be converted to hypochlorous acid which can penetrate cells and react with cytoplasmic proteins to form N-chloro derivatives that destroy cell structure. Symptoms may be apparent immediately or delayed for a few hours.

Do you need decontamination for chlorine gas?

Victims exposed only to chlorine gas who have no skin or eye irritation do not need decontamination. They may be transferred immediately to the Support Zone. All others require decontamination as described below.

A Strong Odor is Detected

Chlorine gas will smell very strongly of bleach, particularly in higher concentrations. This is usually the first indication of a gas leak.

Visible Gas

Chlorine gas is visible, and will often appear to be yellow-green in color.

Burning Sensations

The gas is a severe irritant and will cause major discomfort when it comes into contact with skin. This includes burning pain, blistering and reddening. Liquid chlorine can cause injuries similar to those associated with frostbite.

Problems with Vision

Eyes are quickly affected by chlorine gas or liquid. Vision will become blurry and eyes will begin to water and burn. Rinse the eyes with clean water for between 15 and 20 minutes following exposure to chlorine water or gas.

Nausea

The body’s natural reaction to exposure to chlorine liquid or gas is to become nauseous. This is because the element is fundamentally a poison, and the body automatically works to expel the poison from inside.

Other Symptoms

There are many other symptoms associated with coming into contact with chlorine – either in gas or liquid form. These include;

What to Do Next

Chlorine is a very hazardous substance, and prolonged contact with it can be extremely dangerous. It is important to quickly break contact with the chlorine gas or liquid.

How much chlorine gas can be detected in humans?

Humans can detect low levels of chlorine gas. In humans, the threshold concentration for detection of the odor of chlorine gas ranges from 0.1–0.3 ppm. At 1–3 ppm, there is mild mucus membrane irritation that can usually be tolerated for about an hour. At 5–15 ppm, there is moderate mucus membrane irritation.

What happens if you take too much chlorine?

High concentrations of chlorine can result in development of ALI/ARDS, pulmonary edema, pulmonary inflammation with or without infection, respiratory failure, and death (11, 12). In this way chlorine exposure resembles some other toxic inhalations like sulfur mustard.

Does chlorine cause asthma?

Other workplace studies, however, have indicated that workers exposed to chlorine dioxide/sulfur dioxide have tended to have increased risk for chronic bronchitis and/or recurrent wheezing attacks (one or more episodes) but not asthma, while those exposed to ozone have a greater incidence of asthma.

Does chlorine affect the upper airways?

The removal/absorption of chlorine within the upper airways will modify the toxicity to the lower airways. Alveolar injury requires exposure to high concentrations of chlorine because of the solubility of the gas and due to its rapid removal/absorption within the upper airways at lower concentrations.

Can you get into contact with chlorine?

Humans can come into contact with chlorine gas during short-term, high-level exposures due to traffic or rail accidents, spills, or other disasters. By contrast, workplace and public (swimming pools, etc.) exposures are more frequently long-term, low-level exposures, occasionally punctuated by unintentional transient increases.

Can a cl2 exposure cause oxidative damage?

Direct oxidative injury to the epithelium may occur immediately with exposure to Cl2, but further damage to the epithelium may occur with migration and activation of inflammatory cells such as neutrophils within the airway epithelium, with the subsequent release of oxidants and proteolytic enzymes.

Does chlorine damage the lung?

This contrasts with ozone, which penetrates more deeply into the lung. Therefore exposure to low concentrations of chlorine causes preferential damage to the large airways, and alveolar damage requires exposure to high concentrations of gas. Such exposures will necessarily cause concurrent extensive airway damage.

How long does it take for respiratory symptoms to resolve after exposure to chlorine?

TIME COURSE: Respiratory symptoms may be immediate or delayed for several hours or days after exposure to chlorine. Symptoms generally resolve within 6 hours after mild exposures, but may continue for several days after severe exposures. Deterioration may continue for several hours.

What is chlorine used for?

It is widely used as bleach in the manufacture of paper and cloth and in manufacturing solvents, pesticides, synthetic rubber, and refrigerants. Chlorine has also been used as a chemical warfare choking agent.

How to clean contaminated skin?

Thoroughly wash and rinse (using cold or warm water) the contaminated skin of the patient/victim using a soap and water solution. Be careful not to break the patient/victim’s skin during the decontamination process, and cover all open wounds. Cover the patient/victim to prevent shock and loss of body heat.

What is the purpose of decontamination?

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of decontamination is to make an individual and/or their equipment safe by physically removing toxic substances quickly and effectively . Care should be taken during decontamination, because absorbed agent can be released from clothing and skin as a gas. Your Incident Commander will provide you with decontaminants specific for the agent released or the agent believed to have been released.

How long does it take for a pulmonary injury to progress?

Pulmonary injury may progress for several hours and accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) may be delayed up to 24 hours. DELAYED EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE: For previously healthy individuals with an acute exposure to chlorine, pulmonary function usually returns to pre-exposure levels within 7 to 14 days.

Is chlorine a combustible substance?

Chlorine is not combustible, but it enhances the combustion of other substances. Chlorine reacts violently with many organic compounds, ammonia, hydrogen, and finely divided metals, causing fire and explosion hazards. The agent may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.).

Can you smell chlorine?

The lowest level at which humans can smell chlorine and notice its irritant properties generally provides sufficient warning of exposure; however, chronic exposure to chlorine causes adaptation of the sense of smell (olfactory fatigue) and tolerance to its irritant effects.

Chlorine in Your Home

You can recognize chlorine by its strong smell that is similar to bleach. It is naturally a gas but can be processed through pressurization and cooling to turn it into a liquid. Whether it's in gas or liquid form, chlorine has a yellow or green tint. As a gas, it is heavier than air so it tends to settle closer to the floor or in low-lying areas. ‌

Signs of Chlorine Poisoning

The severity of symptoms from chlorine poisoning depends on the amount of chlorine you were exposed to. Minor exposure to chlorine may mean fewer or less severe symptoms. Significant exposure can lead to serious health consequences and even death. ‌

Treating Chlorine Poisoning

The first step to treat chlorine poisoning is to get away from where you were exposed. If it happened indoors, go outside. If it happened outside, walk away from the area. Your goal is to get fresh air into your lungs and lessen the amount of chlorine in your system.

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Routes of Exposure

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Physical Properties

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Health Effects

Acute Exposure

Chronic Exposure

Prehospital Management