First aid for chlorine poisoning

Chlorine and chlorine-containing substances are quite often used both in industry and in the domestic sphere. Chlorine is used in the production of various solvents, pesticides, insecticides, medicines, detergents, bleaches and disinfectants. It is also widely applicable in non-ferrous metallurgy and plastics industries. Considering that this substance has become quite firmly established in modern life, it is necessary to know the conditions for using chlorine-containing substances, how to help a person with chlorine poisoning, to identify the first signs of such poisoning, and also to know preventive measures to avoid unpleasant consequences.

What is chlorine and where is it used

Chlorine, as a chemical element, belongs to the group of halogens, is present in all living organisms in the form of various compounds. The ions of this substance are actively involved in the metabolic processes of the body as water-salt solutions, help reduce the increased activity of neurons, as well as improve the production of gastric juice and hydrochloric acid. For an adult, the daily intake of chlorine is approximately 0,8 grams of the substance, which is replenished through the use of table salt.

By itself, chlorine is quite toxic, it is a yellowish-green gas with a metallic taste and a pungent odor. This chemical element is highly soluble in water, as well as in other organic liquids. It is widely used in household and industrial sectors.

Chlorine is used for the disinfection of drinking and waste water, for the manufacture of pesticides that destroy rodents and insects, for bleaching fabrics in industrial and domestic conditions. It is used as one of the components of chemical warfare agents. Chlorine is important in metallurgical production and in the manufacture of plastics. The medical industry actively uses chlorine to create medicines and food supplements.

However, its high toxicity has led to the fact that this substance is banned from use in a number of European countries. When burned, chlorine forms a very dangerous substance – dioxin, which has immunosuppressive, teratogenic, carcinogenic and embryotoxic effects.

The maximum permissible norms of chlorine in domestic conditions are 0,1 milligrams per cubic meter of air (one-time), in industrial – the standards are higher and amount to 1 milligram per cubic meter.

How can you get poisoned by chlorine

Most often, poisoning with chlorine and chlorine-containing substances is possible in such situations:

• by inhalation of gaseous substances;
• when ingested accidentally or in a suicide attempt of pesticides or liquids containing chlorine;
• in case of violation of safety regulations when working with toxic substances at industrial enterprises, at home;
• when visiting a public pool, where there is no proper control over the use, dosing of disinfectants;
• in contact with an aqueous solution of chlorine in high concentrations on the mucous membranes or skin, especially in children;

Especially dangerous is poisoning, contact with toxic substances, in particular with chlorine-containing compounds, for young children. A much lower dose of the toxin can cause intoxication in a child compared to an adult and lead to irreparable consequences.

Symptoms of chlorine poisoning

Manifestations of intoxication depend on the way the poison enters the body: through the respiratory system (inhalation); through the digestive tract (when taken orally); through the skin; as well as the amount and time of human exposure.

There are three degrees of severity of poisoning with chlorine and chlorine-containing substances: mild, moderate and severe. At very high concentrations of poison, poisoning occurs instantly.

Manifestations of mild chlorine poisoning are characterized by:

• moderate headache, dizziness.

Symptoms when poison enters through the upper respiratory tract:

• sore throat and nasopharynx;
• profuse lacrimation and rhinorrhea;
• redness of the eyes and oral mucosa;
• burning and pain in the eyes;
• dry cough, frequent sneezing.

Symptoms when poison enters through the gastrointestinal tract:

• pain, cramps in the abdomen;
• nausea, vomiting;
• loose stools.

If the poison gets on the skin and mucous membranes:

• rash, itching and burning;
• contact dermatitis.

In moderate and severe poisoning with chlorine and chlorine-containing substances, the symptoms of intoxication are more pronounced:

• hoarseness of voice, feeling short of breath;
• unproductive shallow breathing, shortness of breath, up to suffocation, respiratory arrest;
• dry, agonizing cough, turning into a wet cough with pink frothy discharge;
• sharp pain in the chest, greatly aggravated by coughing;
• nausea and repeated vomiting;
• lowering blood pressure and slowing the heart rate;
• convulsive syndrome;

Chlorine poisoning may initially resemble a state of intoxication, then drowsiness, turning into impaired consciousness, up to coma, depending on the amount of poison that has entered the body. This condition can last approximately three to four days, and ends at best with a way out of a coma with possible serious complications, damage to the liver, kidneys, and lungs.

With a fulminant course, all symptoms appear in an extremely severe form in the shortest period of time: suddenly developing suffocation with pulmonary edema, convulsive syndrome is possible, heart rhythm disturbance, leading to respiratory arrest, cardiac activity.

First aid for chlorine poisoning

First of all, immediately call emergency help, rescuers. The victim must be urgently removed from the lesion focus, observing safety measures for the rescuer himself, namely: protection of the respiratory organs, skin, mucous membranes from the ingress of poison into the body (cotton-gauze bandages, respirators, goggles, gloves, protective clothing). In case of direct contact with a chlorine-containing substance, immediately stop its entry into the body by washing the skin with running water.

How can you help a person with chlorine poisoning:

1. Unfasten clothes, open the window, let in fresh air and ventilate the room.
2. Rinse mouth and nasal passages, rinse eyes thoroughly with plenty of running water or a XNUMX% solution of baking soda.
3. Provide the victim with alkaline drink, milk, mineral water.
4. You can use soda inhalation.
5. Provide the patient with emotional and physical rest.
6. When swallowing liquids containing chlorine that do not have a corrosive effect, with a clear consciousness of the victim, offer to drink plenty of water and induce vomiting.

After providing first aid, the patient must be taken to a medical facility for further observation and treatment. The first day the patient should be under the supervision of qualified personnel, this will help to avoid many unpleasant serious consequences and prevent the occurrence of possible serious complications.

During treatment in a hospital, therapy is aimed at restoring and maintaining the vital functions of the victim’s body:

• oxygen support if necessary;
• stabilization of respiration, blood circulation;
• normalization of metabolic processes;
• prevention of possible complications from the kidneys, brain, gastrointestinal tract;
• symptomatic therapy.

Possible consequences and prevention of chlorine poisoning

In mild forms of chlorine intoxication, complications are usually absent. Recovery occurs a few days after the toxin enters the body.

After suffering a moderate and severe form of intoxication, the development of acute and chronic conditions is possible:

• respiratory diseases: pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, tracheitis, tracheobronchitis;
• toxic pneumonia and pulmonary edema;
• conjunctivitis;
• acute heart failure;
• bronchiectatic disease;
• paralysis of the vasomotor and respiratory centers;
• pneumosclerosis and emphysema.

To protect yourself from such consequences and from the possibility of chlorine poisoning, you must follow the safety rules when working with hazardous substances at work, as well as at home:

1. Work with chlorine-containing substances in well-ventilated areas with sufficient access to fresh air.
2. Use personal protective equipment (rubber gloves, respirators, cotton-gauze bandages) when working with substances containing chlorine.
3. Work with pesticides and insecticides should be carried out only in goggles and a respirator.
4. Visit pools in verified places.
5. Keep poisons and household chemicals out of the reach of children, with clear labeling.

In conclusion

Chlorine poisoning often leads to unpredictable and dangerous consequences, which can even result in death. This is especially dramatic for young children. But since chlorine is massively used in everyday life, cases of poisoning are quite common, so you need to know and be able to provide first aid to the injured person. However, the most important thing in this case is to prevent the possibility of chlorine poisoning, for which it is necessary to strictly observe the precautions and safety precautions when working with hazardous and toxic substances.

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