Skip to main content

Toxic Effects of Chlorine—An Update from the MHAP Toxicity Working Party

  • Chapter

Abstract

Subsequent to the publication of the 1st Report of the Toxicity Working Party at the International Chlorine Symposium organised by the SCI in 1985 in London, and its publication in book form [1], CEFIC commissioned a special study [2] at the TNO-CIVO laboratories in Zeist, The Netherlands. Its primary aim was to obtain data using rats which would establish an LC low or threshold LC. The protocol also included sufficient work with mice to provide a comparison with earlier work described in the literature. It will be recalled that the Working Party, in its earlier report, had been unable to draw any conclusions about the concentrations likely to cause low percentage fatalities, although it did make the positive statement that no lethalities have been demonstrated at 30 min exposure time at or below 50 ppm for any species.

A preliminary report. The final review will be published by the Institution of Chemical Engineers as a Loss Prevention Bulletin in 1989.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Withers, R. M. J., 1st Report of MHAP Toxicity Panel, Modern Chlor-Alkali Technology, Vol. 3. Ellis Horwood, Chichester, 1986. Loss Prevention Bulletin, Chlorine Toxicity Monograph published by the Institute of Chemical Engineers (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Zwart, A., TNO Report No. V87.089/260851, May 1987, TNO-CIVO, Zeist. Published in J. Haz. Mater. 19 (1988) 195–208.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Withers, R. M. J. & Lees, F. P., The assessment of major hazards: the lethal toxicity of chlorine. Part 1: Review of information on toxicity. J. Haz. Mater., 12 (1985) 231.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Davies, P C. & Hymes, I. W., The Chem. Engnr (June 1985) 30–3.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bell, D. & Elmes, P., The effects of chlorine gas on the lungs of rats. J. Path. Bact., 84 (1965) 307–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Bitron, M. & Aharonson, E., Delayed mortality of mice following inhalation of CH2O, SO2, Cl2, and Br2. Am. Ind. Hyg. Ass. J., 39(2) (1978) 129.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Schlagbauer, M. & Henschler, D., Toxicitat von Chlor und Brom. Int. Arch Gewerbepath. u. Gewerbehyg., 23 (1967) 91–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Silver, S. D. & McGrath, F. P., Chlorine median lethal concentrations for mice. Edgewood Arsenal Technical Reports 351, May 1942.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Silver, D. D., McGrath, F. P. & Ferguson, R. L., Chlorine median lethal concentration for mice. Edgewood Arsenal Technical Report 373, 17 July 1942.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Underhill, F. P., The Lethal War Gases. Yale University Press, 1920.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Weedon, F., Hartzell, A. & Setterstrom, C., McCallen and Setterstrom: Contributions to the Boyce Thompson Institute, 11 (1940) 325–65.

    Google Scholar 

  12. MacEwen, J. & Vernot, E., Acute toxicity of chlorine. In Syste Med Corporation Toxic Hazards Research Unit Annual Technical Report: 1972, Report No. AD 755–358 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Alarie, Y., Toxicological evaluation of airborne chemical irritants and allergens using respiratory reflex reactions. In Inhalation Toxicology and Technology, ed. B. K. J. Leong. Ann Arbor Science Publishers, 1981, pp. 207–31.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Lipton, M. & Rotariu, G., The toxicity of chlorine gas for mice. University of Chicago Toxicity Report No. 6 (1941).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1990 SCI

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Withers, R.M.J., Shaw, J.P.H. (1990). Toxic Effects of Chlorine—An Update from the MHAP Toxicity Working Party. In: Prout, N.M., Moorhouse, J.S. (eds) Modern Chlor-Alkali Technology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1137-6_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1137-6_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7004-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-1137-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics