This document provides information on the safe handling of chlorine gas, including its characteristics, health effects, first aid treatment, and safety procedures. Chlorine gas is greenish-yellow in color and has an acute odor that causes irritation. It is slightly soluble in water and is toxic at concentrations above 1000 ppm. Safety equipment like protective suits, goggles, gas masks, and self-contained breathing apparatuses should be used when handling chlorine gas. Cylinders must be properly secured and leak tested, and chlorine leaks should be addressed using ammonia solutions.

1. SAFE HANDLING OF
CHLORINE GAS
BY
Fire & Safety Dept.
Nirma Limited

2. General
• Today in industries Chlorine is really an
important chemical. It is widely used in
chemical industry. When you use any
chemical, safety measures should be known
thoroughly before using it.

3. Chlorine Characteristics
• Chemical Formula : Cl2
• Boiling Point : - 34.05 deg. C
• Gravity Liquid : 1.468 gm/cc
• Gravity Gas : 3.209 gm/litre
• At normal temp. & Press. Chlorine is in
gaseous form.
• Chlorine Gas colour is greenish yellow.
• Liquid Chlorine colour is sky blue.

4. • Chorine has acute smell and due to its smell
irritation occurs in nose and throat.
• Chlorine is very slightly soluble in water. At
10 deg. C only 1 % is soluble in the water.
But when temp. rises its solubility in the
water decreases.
• TLV is 1 PPM (2.9 mg/m3).
• IDLH is 1000 PPM.
Chlorine Characteristics

5. Health Effects
• It can be fatal for the person working in the
atmospheric air containing > 1000 PPM of
chlorine gas concentration.
• First Chorine gives irritation in your eyes,
nose and throat.
• If concentration is more in the air, the
person feels the burning effect.
• Inhalation affects lungs.

6. • If you work for some time in chlorine gas
atmosphere it does not affect your skin.
• But if liquid chlorine falls on your skin, it
gives burn and also it affects body tissue.
• There is no adverse affect in your body due
to chlorine gas. Till date there is no
observation.
Health Effects

7. First Aid Treatment
• Move the person to clean air.
• Loose the clothing and keep him warm.
• If require give artificial breathing.
• Take him to the doctor immediately.
• If chlorine falls on the body or in the eyes,
wash for 15 min with clean water.
• Do not use any cream without Doctor’s
permission.
• If the person is unconscious, do not give
any liquid / solid through his mouth.

8. Remember
• Chlorine is 2 1/2 times heavier than air.
Hence it spreads on earth surface or it
accumulates where there is a pit.
• Chlorine gas does not mix with air speedily
so its acute smell remains in the atmosphere
long time.
• Do not spray water on chlorine leaking part
because its solubility in the water is very
less. Due to water corrosion may speed up.
It increases the leakage.

9. • At any time temp. of chlorine cylinder
should not rise greater than 70 deg. C
otherwise the cylinder may explode.
• Liquid Chlorine Leakage is 460 times more
dangerous than Chlorine Gas leakage.
• When you want to do the welding job on
Chlorine pipe line, pipe line should be
purged with air.
Remember

10. • In chlorine container, liquid chlorine is
filled up to 80% of total volume.
• Do not throw leakage cylinder into water.
• Use ammonia solution to check chlorine gas
leakage which produces white smoke.
• Whenever you receive the container, always
check hydraulic test date on that container.
Remember

11. Safe Chlorine Handling Procedure
• Equipments related to Chlorine should be
operated by the experienced & trained
persons only.
• Never move chlorine cylinder if it is fixed
with pipeline.
• Always use new Lead washer in every
cylinder for connection.

12. • Always use flexible, seemless (without joints)
and cool copper pipe between cylinder &
pipeline.
• Use adequate size of spanner to operate
cylinder valve.
• Check leakage with ammonia solution with
slightly opening the cylinder valve. If no
leakage is observed than open full valve.
Safe Chlorine Handling Procedure

13. • It is very much important to place a process
regulator valve to increase / decrease the
flow of chlorine. Do not use cylinder valve
to do the same.
• Keep pressure gauge between cylinder and
regulator valve. Close the cylinder valve at
0.5 kg/cm2 pressure. Due to this other gas
can be prevented to enter the cylinder.
• Keep ready Caustic / liquid to
neutral the chlorine in emergency.
Safe Chlorine Handling Procedure

14. Use of Safety Equipments
• Wear PVC suit to protect your body.
• Use spectacles / goggles to protect your
eyes in the chlorine atmosphere.
• Use canister mask to get clean air in the
chlorine atmosphere. Keep canister
connected with gas mask to protect your
face & breathing process. Do not use
canister when oxygen concentration is less
than 18% in air.
• Use Air line mask or SCBA set as per
requirement.

15. Chlorine MSDS
• 1 CHEMICAL IDENTITY
• Chemical Name : CHLORINE Chemical Classification : Inorganic Gas
or Liquid
• Synonyms: None
Trade Name
• Formula C12 C.A.S.NO.7782-50-5 UN. NO. 1017
• Regulated Shipping Name : Chlorine
• Identification
• Codes/Label : Non Flammable Gas, Poison, Class 2
• Hazardous waste I.D. No: 17
• Hazchem Code : 2 XE
•
• HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS C.A.S.NO. HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS
C.A.S.NO.
• 1. Chlorine 7782-50-5 2.

16. 2. PHYSICALAND CHEMICAL DATA
Boiling Point/Range - 34 oC Physical State Liquid Appearance : Greenish Yellow
Liquid Compr. Gas
Vapour pressure Odour: Irritating, Bleach like
@ 35oC 4800 mm Hg choking odour.
Melting / Freezing -101oC at 20oC
Point
__________________________________________________________________________________
Vapour Density 2.49 Solubility in water @ 30oC Others
(Air = 1) Slightly soluble Soluble in
Alkalis.
Specific Gravity 1.47 pH : Not Pertinent
(Water = 1) @ 0oC
2774 mm Hg