| Chlorine can be just as helpful as it can be hazardous. | | | | can easily irritate skin and hair. |
| If you swim a lot and/or own a pool, you will want | | | | It is very important, especially if you have children |
| to know as much as you can about chlorine. You | | | | around and store your own chlorinated pool and / or |
| need many chemicals in perfect balance to properly | | | | household chemicals, to know exactly what you are |
| maintain your pool. In order to better understand | | | | dealing with. Accidents can happen: it is important to |
| chlorine, you should know some facts. | | | | take the time to learn things like CPR, the poison |
| What exactly is chlorine? Chlorine is an element that | | | | control phone number, and the immediate signs and |
| has been used for many purposes. It is found in | | | | symptoms shown in someone who is exposed to |
| many household cleaning products. It is used as a | | | | harmful levels of chlorine. |
| pool water sanitation chemical, as well as a poison, | | | | When someone is exposed to hazardous levels of |
| primarily in the form of a gas. Chlorine has a very | | | | chlorine there are different signs and symptoms: |
| strong odor. When pure chlorine is released in its liquid | | | | coughing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, a burning |
| form it quickly turns into a very hazardous gas. It | | | | sensation in nose, throat and eyes, watery eyes, |
| doesn't sound like something you want to swim in, | | | | blurry vision, nausea and vomiting, burning skin, |
| right? But the chlorine in pools (even highly chlorinated | | | | redness, and even blisters on the skin (if it is gas |
| public pools) is extremely diluted. | | | | exposure). The person could also experience difficulty |
| Most public pools contain much more chlorine than | | | | breathing and/or shortness of breath. These |
| pools in or outside of people's homes. This makes | | | | symptoms will be experienced right away if someone |
| public pools safer because chlorine is a very potent | | | | is exposed to high concentrations of chlorine, or, if |
| cleansing agent. Less chlorine is used in home pools | | | | lower concentrations of chlorine gas is inhaled, the |
| because less people use the pool less often, | | | | symptoms may be somewhat delayed. Within up to |
| therefore there is less bacteria to kill. | | | | four hours of dangerous chlorine exposure someone |
| Overexposure to chlorine can be extremely | | | | could suffer what is called pulmonary edema, or fluid |
| dangerous so please be careful when using this | | | | in the lungs - a very dangerous and life-threatening |
| compound at home. As a matter of fact, as I | | | | condition. The long term consequences of chlorine |
| formerly mentioned, chlorine has a history of having | | | | exposure are not often anything to be too |
| been used as a poison. In the First World War, | | | | concerned about if the exposure is treated quickly |
| chlorine poison was used as a destructive pulmonary | | | | enough. However, if someone develops pneumonia |
| agent, i.e. the purpose was to cause choking in the | | | | during therapy for chlorine exposure, they may |
| victim who inhaled it. The chlorine was concentrated | | | | suffer from chronic bronchitis thereafter. |
| and pressurized, and when released in liquid form it | | | | What to do: |
| stayed close to the ground, making it virtually | | | | If someone you know inhales chlorine gas, however |
| impossible for the victim to breathe. | | | | intensely, they should get to fresh air right away. |
| Chlorine gas has an incredibly pungent odor, and is | | | | Staying inside or shut-in with the source may be |
| the color of pea-soup in appearance. By itself, chlorine | | | | problematic. If you suspect that you or someone you |
| is not flammable, but when combined with another | | | | know has been exposed to hazardous levels of |
| explosive compound such as turpentine or ammonia, | | | | chlorine, remove the person's clothing and quickly |
| it becomes combustible. The use of chlorine as a | | | | dispose of it. Next, wash entire body with soap and |
| dangerous gas has been substituted by other | | | | water, and be sure to rinse out the victim's eyes. If |
| chemical agents, but even chlorine bleach in the form | | | | you suspect you have ingested chlorine, DO NOT |
| of a household cleaning agent can be made into a | | | | induce vomiting or drink fluids, this could make things |
| dangerous gas if mixed with certain other common | | | | worse. In case of ingestion, you must call 911 or |
| household cleansers. Other uses for chlorine consist | | | | otherwise seek medical attention immediately - don't |
| of the sanitation of industrial waste and sewage, and | | | | waste time wondering if you should seek medical |
| of course, for sanitizing pool water. | | | | attention. Be sure to explain, in as much detail as |
| On the subject of pool water: | | | | possible, exactly what has happened. And try to stay |
| If someone is to suffer from chlorine exposure, they | | | | calm to let the professionals help you in any |
| would have to be very near in proximity to a | | | | dangerous circumstances. |
| chemical spill. Chlorine poisoning can also occur if the | | | | Doing the right thing in case of any emergency can |
| chemical is ingested, so be sure to store any | | | | be your very best bet to get the most out of the |
| household cleansers or pool sanitation supplies far | | | | medical resources available to you. If you own a pool |
| away from your food and to always wash your | | | | or clean with chlorine-based home or industrial |
| hands in-between cleaning and cooking. Not that any | | | | cleaners at all, be sure to be careful about storing |
| contaminates are good to combine with food, even if | | | | your things and keeping them out of the way of |
| they are not as dangerous. Chlorine or no chlorine, | | | | children, friends, cooking attire, or in any other |
| you should always wash your hands before you | | | | potentially dangerous place. And remember, in the |
| handle your food. It is however, very unlikely for | | | | face of danger, try to remain as calm as possible. |
| someone to experience chlorine poisoning by | | | | Knowing what to do is in everyone's best interest. |
| swimming, even in highly chlorinated pool water. | | | | Thinking on your feet, as they say, is not nearly so |
| Nonetheless, be sure to shower or rinse off after | | | | difficult if you already know what to do. |
| swimming, because regular, chlorinated pool water | | | | |