Physiological effects of chlorine

Concerning the physiological effects of chlorine upon the human l>ody, Gilchrist. says ... 

Haux C, Larsson A, Lidman U, Forlin L, Hansson T, Johansson-Sjobeck M-L (1982) Sublethal physiological effects of chlorinated paraffins on the flounder, Platichtys flesus L. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 6 49-59... 

Instruction in the properties and physiological effects of chlorine. An MSDS for chlorine is available from chlorine suppliers. 

All employees handling or working around chlorine should be trained to handle it properly and safely with special emphasis placed on actions to be taken and equipment to be used in case of emergencies such as leaks. Each employee should be trained in the properties and physiological effects of chlorine [6], the location and proper use of the several types of respiratory equipment, and the conditions under which each type must be used. Each employee should also be trained in first aid procedures, particularly in administering artificial respiration. Quiz sessions on actions to be taken in emergencies, the proper use of respiratory equipment, and first aid measures should be held at regular intervals. [7]... 

The Ebro catchment is the largest river basin in Spain. It covers an area of 85,362 km2 (http //www.chebro.es) and receives the potential influence of three million people. It suffers a considerable ecological impact from different industrial activities located predominantly in the last third of its course. These activities result on the release to the Ebro River and to some of its tributaries of Tm quantities of chlorinated organic compounds, PBDE and other brominated flame retardants, mercury, and other metals. In addition, intensive agricultural practices, mainly concentrated in the last 30 km of the river course and in its Delta, imply the use of large quantity of pesticides and fertilizers. In this paper, we review physiological effects of these pollutants in resident fish and shellfish populations and provide a general picture of the health status of the low course of the Ebro River. 

Kaufman J, Burkons D Clinical, roentgenological and physiological effects of acute chlorine exposure. Arch Environ Health 23 29-34, 1971... 

There have been several recent studies of the physiologic effects or chlorine. These have considered chlorine both as an occupational exposure and as an environmental pollutant (see references). The National Institute of Occupational Safely and Health study recommended ait 0.5 ppm concentration of chlorine in air for any 15-minute sampling period as (he maximum permissible ceiling value. This contrasts with the generally accepted value of I ppm TLV (lime weighted average for an eight hour exposure). 

Kaufman, J., and D.Burkons. 1971. Clinical, roentgenologic and physiologic effects of acute chlorine exposure. Arch. Environ. Health 23(l) 29-34. 

Sometimes the long-term effects are quite unexpected and difficult to predict. For example, millions of kilograms of CF2C12, which is used as a propellant, have been released into the atmosphere from aerosol cans. This compound appears to be wholly free of direct adverse physiological effects. However, as the substance diffuses into the upper atmosphere, it is slowly decomposed by sunlight to produce chlorine atoms. Serious danger then is possible because chlorine atoms are known to catalyze the decomposition of ozone, and it is the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere that absorbs most of the sun s ultraviolet radiation that is strongly harmful to life. 

Although DDT was first prepared in 1873, its effectiveness as an insecticide was not discovered until 1939, by Paul Muller in Switzerland. The effectiveness of DDT against mosquitoes and Hce, spreading malaria and typhus, and its ability to protect crops as well, made the insecticide appreciated. In all the justified criticism against DDT, it should be remembered that the World Health Organization estimated that, during the period of its use, approximately 25 million lives were saved. Paul Muller was also awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine and physiology in 1948. The substance however has a fatal characteristic in common with other chlorinated hydrocarbons, namely its fat solubihty. DDT is also a stable substance and stays in the food chain. It is metabolized very slowly by animals and is stored in the fatty tissues. 

In both its liquid and gaseous form, chlorine is neither flammable nor explosive. It currently is classified as a nonflammable gas by the U.S. Department of Transportation. In Canada, it is classified as a corrosive gas, class 2.4. TJie United Nations classification is poison gas. Its principal hazard arises from inhalation. Data describing chlorine s physiological effects, handling, employee training and protection, and chemical characteristics and physical properties is available in the Chlorine Institute s Chlorine... 

Chlorine produces no known systemic effects. All symptoms and signs result directly or indirectly from the local irritant action. Low concentrations of chlorine gas in the air may have a minor irritating effect or may produce slight symptoms after several hours exposure, but careful examination of persons repeatedly exposed to such conditions reportedly have shown no permanent physiological effect. 

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