Chlorine is a heavier-than-air yellowish-green gas with an irritating odor. It is used widely in chemical manufacturing, in bleaching, and (as hypochlorite) in swimming pool disinfectants and cleaning agents. Hypochlorite is an aqueous solution produced by the reaction of chlorine gas with water; most household bleach solutions contain 3–5% hypochlorite, and swimming pool disinfectants and industrial-strength cleaners may contain up to 20% hypochlorite. The addition of acid to hypochlorite solution may release chlorine gas. The addition of ammonia to hypochlorite solution may release chloramine, a gas with toxic properties similar to those of chlorine.

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   Mechanism of toxicity. Chlorine gas produces a corrosive effect on contact with moist tissues, such as those of the eyes and upper respiratory tract. Exposure to aqueous solutions causes corrosive injury to the eyes, skin, or GI tract (See Caustic and Corrosive Agents). Chloramine is less water-soluble and may produce more indolent or delayed irritation.

   
   
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   Toxic dose

   
   
   
   
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      Chlorine gas. The recommended workplace limit (ACGIH TLV-TWA) for chlorine gas is 0.5 ppm (1.5 mg/m3) as an 8-hour time-weighted average. The short-term exposure limit (STEL) is 1 ppm. The level considered immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) is 10 ppm.

      
      
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      Aqueous solutions.

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