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Toxicokinetics and Biomarkers/Environmental Sources of Exposure Normal Human Levels Levels

TM General Populations Toxicokinetics Biomarkers ToxGuide . People may be exposed to if . Studies in human volunteers found that . There are no biomarkers that can be used they mix an with a solution irrespective of the mode of breathing to quantify exposure to chlorine or containing . (nasal or oral) and respiratory flow rate, aqueous chlorine. for Examples include mixing toilet bowl >95% of inhaled chlorine was absorbed cleaners containing hydrochloric, in the upper airways and <5% was phosphoric, or oxalic acid with bleach. If delivered to the lower airways. Environmental Levels enough acid is added to lower the pH of . No relevant data regarding oral or dermal Air Chlorine the hypochlorite solution to below 4, absorption of aqueous chlorine. . Levels of chlorine in ambient air are not chlorine gas will be released. . The distribution, , and available. Chlorine levels in air . Individuals may also be exposed to surrounding areas of accidental release Cl2 excretion of chlorine is determined by the chlorine gas if chemicals products of the reactions of from railroad tank cars have exceeded are accidentally mixed with or if too /hypochlorite and 1,000 ppm. CAS# 7782-50-5 September 2011 much is added to biomolecules in vivo. Sediment and the over a short of time. . Levels of chlorine in sediment and soil . Exposure to chlorine gas also may occur Normal Human Levels are not available. Chlorine is not U.S. Department of Health and in the vicinity of an accidental spill or expected to be found in soil because it industrial mishap such as a chlorine tank . Greater than 95% of the chlorine that is reacts and volatilizes quickly. Human Services spill or rupture. inhaled (over a 1–5 ppm range) reacts in Public Health Service Water the upper respiratory tract (and eventually Agency for Toxic Substances joins the pool in the body). . Levels of chlorine in water are not and Disease Registry Occupational Populations Therefore, analysis of human biological available. Because aqueous chlorine is www.atsdr.cdc.gov . Workers at facilities that produce, materials such as , , and body not a predominant species at transport, or use chlorine may be tissue for chlorine is not considered environmental pH, chlorine is not Contact Information: exposed to low of the relevant. expected to be detected in the aquatic Division of Toxicology environment. gas. and Environmental Medicine . Workers may also be exposed to high Applied Toxicology Branch chlorine concentrations if an accidental Reference release occurs at a facility. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease 1600 Clifton Road NE, F-62 Registry (ATSDR). 2010. Toxicological Atlanta, GA 30333 Profile for Chlorine. Atlanta, GA: U.S. 1-800-CDCINFO Department of Health and Human 1-800-432-4636 Services, Public Health Services. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/index.asp

Chemical and Physical Information Routes of Exposure Relevance to Public Health (Health Effects)

Chlorine is a Gas . Inhalation – Predominant route of Health effects are determined Health Effects exposure for general population and . Chlorine is a heavier-than-air, greenish- by the dose (how much), the . The principal targets of toxicity to workers. gas with a pungent, irritating odor. duration (how long), and the chlorine gas are the respiratory airways The mean odor threshold for chlorine . Oral – Not a relevant route of exposure. route of exposure. and the eyes. lies between 0.2 and 0.4 ppm. . Dermal – Minor route of exposure. . The toxicity of chlorine appears to be . Chlorine is a nonflammable gas; however, dependent on the duration of exposure

it is a very strong , Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs) and exposure , and the

reacting explosively or forming explosive Chlorine in the Environment Inhalation moisture content of the surface compounds or mixtures with many . Chlorine may be released into the . An MRL of 0.06 ppm has been derived contacted by the gas (e.g., the common chemicals. environment through the process of for acute-duration inhalation exposure respiratory epithelium or conjunctivae). and during accidents . Chlorine reacts directly with nearly all of (≤14 days). . DHHS, IARC, and EPA have not such as a chlorine gas leak from an the elements to form . classified chlorine gas as to its human industrial facility or a chlorine tank spill . An MRL of 0.002 ppm has been derived carcinogenicity. . When chlorine is released into water, or rupture. for intermediate-duration inhalation such as during water chlorination, the gas exposure (15–364 days). . Due to its high reactivity, chlorine gas is quickly dissolves and forms unlikely to remain in the environment . An MRL of 0.00005 ppm has been hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite Children’s Health very long after it is released. Chlorine derived for chronic-duration inhalation anion within seconds. Chlorine is stored . There is some suggestive evidence that immediately reacts with both organic and exposure (≥1 year). and transported as a liquid in pressurized children may be more sensitive to the inorganic materials that it comes into Oral containers. respiratory effects of chlorine than contact with. . No acute-, intermediate-, or chronic- . The major uses of chlorine include the adults. . Free chlorine in is defined duration oral MRLs were derived for manufacturing of to make as the sum of dissolved chlorine gas, chlorine. (PVC) , the hypochlorous acid, and hypochlorite manufacturing of other organic and anion. inorganic compounds, and and paper bleaching. Chlorine has been used in the food industry as a bleaching agent for .