Safety precautions for handling chlorine: Protective equipment

 Chlorine is a highly reactive, greenish-yellow gas that can be hazardous to human health. Here are some health effects of chlorine exposure at different parts per million (ppm):

1–3 ppm: Mild nose irritation

5 ppm: Eye irritation

5–15 ppm: Throat irritation

30 ppm: Immediate chest pain, vomiting, changes in breathing rate, and cough

40–60 ppm: Lung injury (toxic pneumonitis) and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs)

430 ppm: Death after 30 minute exposure

1,000 ppm: Death after a few minutes exposure 

The revised IDLH for chlorine is 10 ppm based on acute inhalation toxicity data in humans. 

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends a TLV-TWA of 1 ppm and a 15-min TLV-STEL of 3 ppm for chlorine. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) adopted a ceiling limit of 1 ppm as the federal workplace standard for chlorine. 

To protect yourself from chlorine, you can:

Wear safety glasses with side shields

Wear working gloves when handling gas containers

Wear safety shoes while handling containers

Use a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or positive pressure airline with mask in oxygen-deficient atmospheres 

[12/10, 4:24 PM] Dr. AMAR NATH GIRI: Here are some safety precautions for handling chlorine:

Protective equipment

Wear chemical protective clothing, gloves, goggles, and a face shield. The clothing should be made from a material that chlorine can't permeate or degrade. 

Storage

Store chlorine in a separate, enclosed, sealed room that's away from other operating areas. The room should be on the downwind side of the building, at least 60° F, and protected from direct sunlight. Store cylinders upright on a level floor and secure them in position. 

Handling

Use at least two people when handling chlorine. Have a second person present when you change or handle chlorine. 

Transportation

When transporting chlorine cylinders, use valve protection caps, secure them in a cylinder cart, and transport them in an upright position. 

Leaks

If a chlorine cylinder is leaking, stop the flow of gas if it's safe to do so. If you can't stop the leak, move the cylinder to a safe place in the open air. Never handle leaking chlorine cylinders with water. 

Other precautions 

Prepare an escape plan 

Install safety wash stations nearby 

Purge chlorine pipelines before welding 

Avoid spraying water on leaking chlorine containers 

Take shallow breaths 

Keep hydrogen below 4% by volume in the hydrogen–chlorine gas mixture

[12/10, 4:25 PM] Dr. AMAR NATH GIRI: Chlorine is a hazardous chemical that can cause serious health hazards: 

Inhalation

Can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. Exposure to 30 ppm can cause intense coughing fits. Exposure to 40–60 ppm for 30–60 minutes or more can cause serious damage. 

Skin contact

Can cause skin irritation, chemical burns, and frostbite. Frostbite can cause numbness, prickling, itching, burning, stiffness, blistering, tissue death, and infection. 

Eye contact

Can cause eye irritation, chemical burns, and permanent damage including blindness. 

Long-term exposure

Can cause permanent respiratory tract and lung damage, chronic lung and respiratory inflammation, and difficulty breathing. 

Other effects

Can cause asthma-like allergy, bronchitis, and damage to teeth.