Ocular toxicity chlorine

A wide range of substances that are toxic to the cornea may produce epithelial insult known as toxic keratitis. This terminology is generally reserved for mild superficial corneal irritation after contact with a harmful substance. Solutions foreign to the eye that commonly cause toxic keratitis include shampoos, lotions, and chlorinated pool water. Toxic corneal reactions have been reported from tonometer tips contaminated with 70% isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide that was not fully removed after disinfection of the probe. Irreversible corneal scarring has resulted from inadvertent ocular contamination with chlorhexidine gluconate, a skin cleanser used preop-eratively. The mistaken use of nonophthalmic products for eyedrops may result in various forms of corneal trauma. 

Klonne and associates (1987) have reported a 1-year inhalation toxicity study of chlorine in rhesus monkeys. Exposure to 2.3 ppm chlorine caused ocular irritation during the daily exposures. Histopathological changes were observed in the respiratory epithelium of the nasal passages and trachea. These changes, however, were mild at the foregoing level of exposures. Monkeys were less sensitive to chlorine toxicity than were rats. 

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