| Subject | Contents |
| 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 | RespiratoryBreathing difficulty (from inhalation) Throat swelling (which may also cause breathing difficulty) 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 Hypotension ( low blood pressure ) develops rapidly Collapse 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. |
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