Chlorine

Chlorine is commonly used in industrial and household products. Learn what to do to reduce your risks when handling and storing chlorine containing products.

  • Call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately if anyone ingests or breathes in large amounts of chlorine. Keep this number clearly posted in your home.
  • In cases of a large chlorine release contact the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Spills Hotline at 1-800-457-7362 and follow the instructions you receive from local officials.
  • Call 911 for emergency medical help immediately if someone stops breathing, collapses, or has a seizure.

What is Chlorine?

  • Chlorine is a yellow-green gas at room temperature.
  • Chorine is used in many different types of household products including cleaners and disinfectants, and pool chemicals.
  • Chlorine has a strong smell that is noticeable at low concentrations.
  • Liquid chlorine quickly evaporates into the air and will stay in the air closer to the ground.
  • Chlorine can irritate eyes, throat, and lungs, and skin, and is harmful if swallowed.
  • Chlorine can dangerously react with other chemicals such as acetylene, ether, turpentine, ammonia, natural gas, hydrogen, and finely divided metals.
  • Chlorine is commonly shipped as an amber-colored liquid and pressurized and cooled for storage.

Uses of Chlorine

  • Chlorine is used to remove germs, such as bacteria and viruses, from drinking water, surfaces, swimming pools and spas, sewage, and industrial waste.
  • Chlorine is used to whiten materials such as clothing and paper.
  • Chlorine is commonly used in cleaning products and listed as sodium hypochlorite in it's liquid form.
  • Chlorine is used in industrial processes such as production of chlorides, chlorinated solvents, pesticides, polymers, synthetic rubbers, and refrigerants.

Tips to Reduce Exposure

Follow these tips to protect your health when using chlorine containing products. Wash hands after using chlorine-containing products and keep them away from any food or beverages.

While Using

  • Carefully follow all label instructions to ensure effective use.
  • Wear gloves and any protection identified on the product label.
  • Use the recommended amount of water with chlorine-containing products. Applying more product than required does not yield better results and can be harmful.
  • Keep chlorine-containing products away from any food or beverages.
  • Bring in fresh air by opening doors or windows to the outdoors when using chlorine and other cleaning products.
  • Do not mix products. Mixing cleaning products can produce toxic fumes that are harmful to health. Chlorine can react with other common chemicals used in cleaning products such as ammonia and can form a highly toxic chlorine gas.
  • Never ingest products.
  • Avoid accidently consuming the water when swimming in pools or spas as these contain chlorine.

After Use

  • Dispose of unused and unwanted products properly.
  • Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after cleaning and disinfecting.
  • Keep products in their original containers and close securely after use.
  • Store chlorine containing and other products in their original containers.
  • Keep chlorine containing and other cleaning products away from children and pets.

Health Effects of Chlorine

Chlorine exposure can cause health symptoms (by breathing, touching, or consuming it). Symptoms can begin within seconds to minutes and can vary depending to the amount of chlorine you were exposed to, how you were exposed to it, and how long you were exposed.

Children are at higher risk of health effects from chlorine than adults because they weigh less, have smaller lungs, and are closer to the ground where chlorine can remain in the air at higher levels. Always keep children and pets away from chlorine containing products while in use.

  • Inhalation. Most people are exposed to chlorine by breathing it in. Low levels in the air can irritate eyes, skin, or airways, and may cause a sore throat and cough. Chlorine's strong smell is an early warning of its presence, but you may be less sensitive to the odor over longer periods of time. At higher levels, chlorine can cause chest tightness, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Severe exposures can cause fluid buildup and injure the lungs.
  • Eye and Skin Contact. Chlorine can cause eye and skin irritation. Higher levels of exposures can cause severe chemical burns or sores on the skin. Exposure to compressed liquid chlorine can also cause frostbite of the skin and eyes.
  • Ingestion. Ingesting products containing chlorine, like household bleach is poisonous and can damage the gastrointestinal tract.

Treating Chlorine Poisoning

Most people recover following exposure to chlorine.

If you are exposed to low levels of chlorine at home, bring in fresh air from outdoors and leave the area where it was released. Rinse off with water immediately if chlorine products get on the skin or in the eyes.

Contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone ingests or breathes in large amounts of chlorine. People who inhale large amounts of chlorine gas may need medical treatment.

Additional Resources