Chlorine

Definition

Chlorine is found in non-toxic concentrations in many household products, including swimming pool water, mild cleaners, or mild bleaches. However, inhalation or ingestion of pure or highly concentrated chlorine can cause severe damage to the lungs and other organs.

Poisonous Ingredient

• chlorine
  

Where Found

• swimming pool water
  
• gas released when mixing bleach with some of the powdered cleansing products and ammonia
  
• some bleach products
  

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• Respiratory
  o Breathing difficulty (from inhalation)
  o Throat swelling (which may also cause breathing difficulty)
  
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  o Severe pain in the throat
  o Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
  o Loss of vision
  
• Gastrointestinal
  o Severe abdominal pain
  o Vomiting
  o Burns of the esophagus (food pipe)
  o Vomiting blood
  o Blood in the stool
  
• Heart and blood vessels
  o Hypotension (low blood pressure) develops rapidly
  o Collapse
  
• Skin
  o Irritation
  o Burn
  o Necrosis (holes) in the skin or underlying tissues
  
• Blood
  o Severe change in pH (too much or too little acid in the blood, which leads to damage in all of the body organs)
  

Home Treatment
Seek emergency medical care immediately. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If chlorine is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. If chlorine was swallowed, drink water or milk. For inhalation poisoning, remove the patient to fresh air.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• the patient's age, weight, and condition
  
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
  
• the time it was swallowed
  
• the amount swallowed
  

Poison Control, or a local emergency numberSee Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.