When liquid chlorine is released, it quickly turns into a gas that stays close to the ground and spreads rapidly. Chlorine gas can be recognized by its pungent, irritating odor, which is like the odor of bleach. The strong smell may provide adequate warning to people that they are exposed. Chlorine gas appears to be yellow-green in color. Chlorine itself is not flammable, but it can react explosively or form explosive compounds with other chemicals such as turpentine and ammonia.
Where chlorine is found and how it is used Chlorine is one of the most commonly manufactured chemicals in the United States. Its most important use is as a bleach in the manufacture of paper and cloth, but it is also used to make pesticides insect killers , rubber, and solvents. Chlorine is used in drinking water and swimming pool water to kill harmful bacteria. It is also as used as part of the sanitation process for industrial waste and sewage. Household chlorine bleach can release chlorine gas if it is mixed with certain other cleaning agents.
Chlorine was used during World War I as a choking pulmonary agent. If chlorine gas is released into the air, people may be exposed through skin contact or eye contact. They also may be exposed by breathing air that contains chlorine. If chlorine liquid is released into water, people may be exposed by touching or drinking water that contains chlorine.
If chlorine liquid comes into contact with food, people may be exposed by eating the contaminated food. Chlorine gas is heavier than air, so it would settle in low-lying areas. How chlorine works The extent of poisoning caused by chlorine depends on the amount of chlorine a person is exposed to, how the person was exposed, and the length of time of the exposure. When chlorine gas comes into contact with moist tissues such as the eyes, throat, and lungs, an acid is produced that can damage these tissues.
Immediate signs and symptoms of chlorine exposure During or immediately after exposure to dangerous concentrations of chlorine, the following signs and symptoms may develop: Blurred vision Burning pain, redness, and blisters on the skin if exposed to gas. Skin injuries similar to frostbite can occur if it is exposed to liquid chlorine Burning sensation in the nose, throat, and eyes Coughing Chest tightness Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
Thesemay appear immediately if high concentrations of chlorine gas are inhaled, or they may be delayed if low concentrations of chlorine gas are inhaled. Fluid in the lungs pulmonary edema that may be delayed for a few hours Nausea and vomiting Watery eyes Wheezing Showing these signs or symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has been exposed to chlorine. Sodium hydroxide also in high demand is a by-product of the process.
In addition to the ionic compounds that chlorine forms with metals, it also forms molecular compounds with non-metals such as sulfur and oxygen. There are four different oxides of the element. Hydrogen chloride gas from which we get hydrochloric acid is an important industrial product. Usually, reactions of chlorine with water are for disinfection purposes. When H 2 and Cl 2 are exposed to sunlight or high temperatures, they react quickly and violently in a spontaneous reaction.
Otherwise, the reaction proceeds slowly. HCl can also be produced by reacting Chlorine with compounds containing Hydrogen, such as Hydrogen sulfide. The heavier elements in one of these compounds acts as the central atom. Chlorine reacts with most metals and forms metal chlorides, with most of these compounds being soluble in water. At high temperatures, however, it reacts rapidly with many of the metals, especially if the metal is in a form that has a high surface area such as when powdered or made into wires.
Besides these isotopes, the other isotopes must be artificially produced. A table containing some common isotopes is found below:. Chlorine is used in the disinfection removal of harmful microorganisms of water and wastewater. In the United States, it is almost exclusively used. Chlorine was first used to disinfect drinking water in , using sodium hypochlorite NaOCl :. Following widespread use of sodium hypochlorite to disinfect water, diseases caused by unclean water decreased greatly.
Compared to other methods, it is effective at lower concentrations and is inexpensive. It is usually manufactured by first taking EDC ethylene dichloride and then making it into a vinyl chloride, the basic unit for PVC.
From then on, vinyl chloride monomers are linked together to form a polymer. Since Chlorine is found deep within the Earth's crust, and is extremely reactive, the only way it can be found in nature is when it reacts with other chemicals and creates compounds. Chloride is what is created when Chlorine gains an electron and combines with other elements.
Chloride is found abundantly in nature and is most commonly known for forming neutral salts such as sodium chloride table salt , potassium chloride, and calcium chloride. Chloride is needed by all living things for survival. It is a mineral supplement that aids in the process of photosynthesis within plants and even makes our food taste better! Chloride is considered an electrolyte— a salt or ion in the blood or other bodily fluid that carries a charge. Now you may be thinking Chlorine is quite harmful when ingested, so why do pools use Chlorine?
The health department requires all public pools to have some sort of disinfectant and Chlorine is a very powerful disinfectant. It keeps the pool clean and free of harmful bacteria left behind by swimmers. If pools didn't use Chlorine, there is a greater risk for diseases and infections. Luckily, pools use small enough doses that are still effective for warding off this bacteria.
That's good news since summer is right around the corner! By the way, did you know Eldorado Springs has a pool fed by the same natural spring from which we source our bottled water?
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