A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
Z

Chlorine
Definition:

Chlorine is found in non-toxic concentrations in many household situations, including swimming pool water, mild cleaners, or mild bleaches. However, inhalation or ingestion of pure, or highly concentrated chlorine can cause severe damage to the lungs and other organs.
Alternative Names:
bleach, many brand names

Poisonous Ingredient:
  • chlorine
Where Found:
  • swimming pool water
  • gas released when mixing bleach with some of the powdered cleansing products and ammonia
  • some bleach products
Note: This list may not be all inclusive.
Symptoms:
  • Respiratory
  • Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
    • Severe pain in the throat
    • Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
    • Loss of vision
  • Gastrointestinal
    • Severe abdominal pain
    • Vomiting
    • Burns of the esophagus (food pipe)
    • Vomiting blood
    • Blood in the stool
  • Heart and blood vessels
  • Skin
    • Irritation
    • Burn
    • Necrosis (holes) in the skin or underlying tissues
  • Blood
    • Severe change in pH (too much or too little acid in the blood, which leads to damage in all of the body organs)
Home Treatment:
Seek emergency medical care immediately. DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING). If chlorine is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. If chlorine was swallowed, drink water or milk. For inhalation poisoning, remove the patient to fresh air.
Before Calling Emergency:
Determine the following information:
  • the patient's age, weight, and condition
  • the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
  • the time it was swallowed
  • the amount swallowed
Poison Control, or a local emergency number:
See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.
What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

  • For swallowed poison
    • Placement of a tube down the nose and into the stomach (a nasogastric tube, or an NG tube) to wash out the stomach
    • Activated charcoal administration
    • Endoscopy -- the placement of a camera down the throat to see the extent of burns to the esophagus and the stomach
    • Give IV fluids
    • Admission to the hospital
    • Give an antidote
    • Treat the symptoms
  • For inhaled poisons
    • A breathing tube may need to be inserted
    • Oxygen
    • Admission to the hospital or to the intensive care unit
    • Bronchoscopy (inserting a camera down the throat into the airway to evaluate the extent of burns to the airway and lungs)
  • For skin exposure
    • Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days
    • Skin debridement (surgical removal of burned skin)
    • Admission or transfer to a hospital that specializes in burn care
Expectations (prognosis):
The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on the extent of exposure and the time to treatment. Extensive damage to the lungs, mouth, throat, kidneys, and stomach are possible. The ultimate outcome will dependent on the extent of this damage.
Review Date: 3/11/2002
Reviewed By: Kevin G. Wheeler, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com