化合物详情

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), chlorine, which has a vapor pressure of 5850 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a gas in the ambient atmosphere. Gas-phase chlorine is removed from air primarily by direct photolysis(3-5). At tropospheric wavelengths the gas-phase chlorine molecule (Cl-Cl) undergoes photodissociation, forming two chlorine radicals, which abstract a hydrogen atom from any available organic molecule to form hydrochloric acid(4). A lifetime of 7.3 hours was reported for the photolysis of chlorine, based on a measured rate constant of 2.3X10-3/second(4). In the atmosphere chlorine/hypochlorite undergoes photolysis with an estimated half-life of 1-4 hours, depending on th...

Chlorine is not expected to bioaccumulate or bioconcentrate in plants or animals since it reacts with the moist tissues of living systems(1,2).

The Henry's Law constant for chlorine is 0.0104 atm-cu m/mole(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that chlorine is expected to volatilize rapidly from water surfaces(2). Based on this Henry's Law constant, the volatilization half-life from a model river (1 m deep, flowing 1 m/sec, wind velocity of 3 m/sec)(2) is estimated as 2.5 hours(SRC). The volatilization half-life from a model lake (1 m deep, flowing 0.05 m/sec, wind velocity of 0.5 m/sec)(2) is estimated as 3.4 days(SRC). However, chlorine hydrolyzes rapidly and almost completely in water to form hydrochloric acid, hypochlorous acid, and hypochlorite with the speciation dependent on pH(3). Free chlorine exists at pHs below 4.5; percent increases as the pH decreases below pH 4.5(3). At environmental pHs of 5-9, the percent of f...

Chlorine gas released into water first dissolves and then undergoes a disproportionation within seconds at environmental pH to form hydrochloric (H+ + Cl-) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl)(1,2). The equilibrium that exists between hypochlorous acid and the hypochlorite anion is controlled by the pH of the water(2). As the pH is lowered to 4, the equilibrium begins to shift, and small amounts of chlorine are present; at pH below 2, chlorine becomes the dominant species(2). Therefore, molecular chlorine will be formed in chlorinated water (containing hypochlorous acid) that has been made very acidic. Under these conditions, chlorine is expected to react rapidly with both organic and inorganic matter that it comes into contact with in the water(2). Chlorine is removed from air primarily by dir...

... The chlorine content of unbleached flour was found to be 43-54 mg Cl per 100 g of flour, and that of bleached flour, 131-189 mg Cl per 100 g. ... nearly all the additional chlorine was in water-solubles and gluten. At least 50% of the Cl in the gluten fraction was in the lipid. In the untreated flour, 70% is prime starch and this contained 20-25% of the Cl; treatment with chlorine did not, however, significantly increase the Cl in the prime starch ...

Chlorine (Cl2) concentrations were <0.2 ppm in flue gases from a municipal incinerator(1).

The substance is very toxic to aquatic organisms. It is strongly advised not to let the chemical enter into the environment.

Scientists have proposed that minute quantities of chlorine are generated naturally during the photolysis of seawater aerosols(1). Volcanic gases can contain free chlorine gas(2).

Pre-1976 mean ambient air chlorine levels ranging from 1 to 3.7 mg/cu m (0.344 and 1.27 ppm) have been reported(1); however, chlorine is a very reactive molecule and its stability, and consequently its presence, in the atmosphere is questioned(1). Because chlorine is so reactive in water and air, it is not normally detected in the environment except for very low levels in the air above seawater(2). A maximum chlorine concentration of 150 ppt was detected at New York coastal site(2). A maximum chlorine concentration of 580 ppt was detected in air samples collected from coastal locations in Taiwan(2).

The most important manmade emissions of chlorine are from processes involving the production, transportation, and use of chlorine ...

Exposures most commonly result from either storage or transportation accidents involving the pressurized liquid form. Other poisonings occur in industrial accidents, school chemistry experiments, accidental release of chlorine from swimming pool operations, and mixing of cleaning agents (adding acidic cleaning agents to hypochlorite bleach releases chlorine gases).

Chlorine is listed as an ingredient in two landscape/yard products(1).

Chlorine's production and use in the manufacture of chemicals, as an oxidizing and bleaching agent, and as a water disinfectant may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. Scientists have proposed that minute quantities of chlorine are generated naturally during the photolysis of seawater aerosols. Volcanic gases can contain free chlorine gas. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 5850 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates chlorine will exist solely as a gas in the atmosphere. Gas-phase chlorine is removed from air primarily by direct photolysis with an estimated half-life of 1-4 hours, depending on the time of the day. Chlorine is also expected to react with cloud particulates and rain drops that it comes into contact with in the atmosphere, forming hydrochloric an...

If inhaled, chlorine can trigger cough, substernal pain, respiratory distress, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Symptoms may be delayed. Nausea and vomiting are reflex in origin, and headache and loss of consciousness are probably due to the hypoxia caused by pulmonary edema. Dermal contact can lead to redness, pain, and redness of the exposed surface. Eye contact can lead to watering of the eyes. (L245, L247)

In case of inhalation, move patient to fresh air. Monitor for respiratory distress. If cough or difficulty breathing develops, evaluate for respiratory tract irritation, bronchitis, or pneumonitis. Administer oxygen and assist ventilation as required. Treat bronchospasm with an inhaled beta2 agonist and oral or parenteral corticosteroids. Examine mucous membranes, eyes and skin to be certain that corrosive effects have not occurred. In case of acute lung injury, maintain ventilation and oxygenation and evaluate with frequent arterial blood gas or pulse oximetry monitoring. In case of eye exposure, irrigate exposed eyes with copious amounts of room temperature water for at least 15 minutes. In case of dermal exposure, remove contaminated clothing and wash exposed area thoroughly with soa...

Chlorine (Cl(2))-induced lung injury is a serious public health threat that may result from industrial and household accidents. Post-Cl(2) administration of aerosolized ascorbate in rodents decreased lung injury and mortality. However, the extent to which aerosolized ascorbate augments depleted ascorbate stores in distal lung compartments has not been assessed. We exposed rats to Cl(2) (300 ppm for 30 min) and returned them to room air. Within 15-30 min postexposure, rats breathed aerosolized ascorbate and desferal or vehicle (mean particle size 3.3 um) through a nose-only exposure system for 60 min and were euthanized. We measured the concentrations of reduced ascorbate in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), plasma, and lung tissues with high-pressure liquid chromatography, protein plasm...

Eyes, skin, respiratory system

Coughing and vomiting may occur at 30 ppm and lung damage at 60 ppm. About 1000 ppm can be fatal after a few deep breaths of the gas.

The principal targets of exposure to chlorine gas are the respiratory airways and the eyes. Exposure to chlorine gas can lead to mild irritation of the nose, eye irritation and headache and throat irritation. Pulmonary edema and hypoxia can follow and further increase capillary permeability. Further complications can lead to pneumonia and even death. The principal targets of exposure to aqueous chlorine are the upper gastrointestinal tract and the skin. Ingestion of chlorine can lead to esophageal and gastric mucosal erosions, perforations at the gastroesophageal junction, and extensive necrosis of adjacent soft tissue. (L245)

ACGIH Carcinogen - Not Classifiable.

Inhalation (L247); dermal (L247)

Chlorine is a strong oxidizer that hydrolyzes in water forming hydrochloric and hypochlorous acids. In this form, it can penetrate the cell and form N-chloro-derivatives that can damage cellular integrity. Chlorine reacts with water in the epithelial lining of the upper respiratory airways. The mechanism of toxicity of aqueous chlorine or a hypochlorous acid/sodium hypochlorite is basically the same as that for chlorine gas. However, hypochlorous acid is a stronger oxidant than chlorine gas as reflected by its higher redox potential. Damage to the upper gastrointestinal tract, as may occur following ingestion of sodium hypochlorite bleach, is likely the result of oxidation reactions of hypochlorous acid with a range of biological molecules. CDC-ATSDR Toxicological Profile

Acute Inhalation: 0.07 ppm (Chlorine gas) (L245) Intermediate Inhalation: 0.02 ppm (Chlorine gas) (L245) Chronic Inhalation: 0.00005 ppm (Chlorine gas) (L245)

Oral Chronic Reference Dose Reference: IRIS Current

No indication of carcinogenicity (not listed by IARC). (L135)

... Individuals with pulmonary disease, breathing /problems/, bronchitis, or chronic lung conditions.

Soil Saturation Concentration (mg/kg): 2.78e+03

A4; Not classifiable as a human carcinogen.

Soil Saturation Concentration (mg/kg): 2.78e+03