Midwest Fur Fest incident....
Chlorine powder left in a 9th-floor stairwell causes evacuation of the entire hotel? So just how much powdered chlorine was there? How long had it been there? To evacuate the whole hotel there must have been a substantial amount of it. While powder may have an odor it is not likely to cause the kind of fumes needed to evacuate the hotel. Now, if water were added to the powder to produce a solution, then fumes would be more likely. The title of the news article mentions chlorine gas but gas from a powdered source is far less likely than from the addition of some liquid to that powder. Additional information from knowledgeable sources would be appreciated.
Chlorine gas is a pulmonary irritant with intermediate water solubility that causes acute damage in the upper and lower respiratory tract. Occupational exposures constitute the highest risk for serious toxicity from high-concentration chlorine. Mixing of chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) with ammonia or acidic cleaning agents is a common source of household exposure. As with all poisons, the dose determines the toxicity. Exposure to low concentrations of chlorine for prolonged periods may have destructive effects, as might very short-term exposure to high concentrations.
Symptoms may vary depending on the degree of exposure. Exposure possibilities include acute low levels, acute high levels, and chronic low levels.
Low-level (3-5 percent, 1-15 ppm) acute exposure:
Most poisonings fall into this category and are caused by household exposure to low-concentration cleaning products. Manifestations are as
follows:
- Eye tearing, nose and throat irritation
- Sneezing
- Excess salivation
- General excitement or restlessness
High-level (20 percent, greater than 30 ppm) acute exposure:
In addition to the symptoms seen with low-level exposure, high-level exposure may result in the following:
- Dyspnea: Upper airway swelling and obstruction may occur
- Violent cough
- Nausea and vomiting (with the smell of chlorine in emesis)
- Lightheadedness
- Headache
- Chest pain or retrosternal burning
- Muscle weakness
- Abdominal discomfort
- Dermatitis (with liquid exposure): Corneal burns and ulcerations may occur from splash exposure to high-concentration chlorine products
- Esophageal perforation
Chlorine gas is a pulmonary irritant with intermediate water solubility that causes acute damage in the upper and lower respiratory tract. Occupational exposures constitute the highest risk for serious toxicity from high-concentration chlorine. Mixing of chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) with ammonia or acidic cleaning agents is a common source of household exposure. As with all poisons, the dose determines the toxicity. Exposure to low concentrations of chlorine for prolonged periods may have destructive effects, as might very short-term exposure to high concentrations.
Symptoms may vary depending on the degree of exposure. Exposure possibilities include acute low levels, acute high levels, and chronic low levels.
Low-level (3-5 percent, 1-15 ppm) acute exposure:
Most poisonings fall into this category and are caused by household exposure to low-concentration cleaning products. Manifestations are as
follows:
- Eye tearing, nose and throat irritation
- Sneezing
- Excess salivation
- General excitement or restlessness
High-level (20 percent, greater than 30 ppm) acute exposure:
In addition to the symptoms seen with low-level exposure, high-level exposure may result in the following:
- Dyspnea: Upper airway swelling and obstruction may occur
- Violent cough
- Nausea and vomiting (with the smell of chlorine in emesis)
- Lightheadedness
- Headache
- Chest pain or retrosternal burning
- Muscle weakness
- Abdominal discomfort
- Dermatitis (with liquid exposure): Corneal burns and ulcerations may occur from splash exposure to high-concentration chlorine products
- Esophageal perforation