Fatal chlorine gas exposure at a metal recycling facility: Case report

Abstract

At least four workers at a metal recycling facility were hospitalized and one died after exposure to chlorine gas when it was accidentally released from an intact, closed-valved cylinder being processed for scrap metal. This unintentional chlorine gas release marks at least the third such incident at a metal recycling facility in the United States since 2010. We describe the fatal case of the worker whose clinical course was consistent with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following exposure to high concentrations of chlorine gas. This case report emphasizes the potential risk of chlorine gas exposure to metal recycling workers by accepting and processing intact, closed-valved containers. The metal recycling industry should take steps to increase awareness of this established risk to prevent future chlorine gas releases. Additionally, public health practitioners and clinicians should be aware that metal recycling workers are at risk for chlorine gas exposure.

Membrane-Based Portable Colorimetric Gaseous Chlorine Sensing Probe

“…Approximately 70 million short tons of chlorine were produced in 2015 and projected to exceed 100 million short tons by 2024 . Chlorine is a highly toxic gas that can cause direct injuries to mucous membranes, eyes, skin, and respiratory system by exposure. , The permissible exposure limit to chlorine for the time-weighted average (TWA) concentration in the United States is 0.5 ppm, while the short-term exposure limit (STEL) in both the United States and the United Kingdom is 1 ppm. , As the presence of gaseous chlorine in many workplaces is common, , on-site monitoring of this hazardous gas is required by the regulatory bodies to ensure workplace health and safety . To date, a method developed by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been the standard method for workplace chlorine exposure evaluations. , This method collects the airborne chlorine by sulfamic acid adsorption solution and reacts with iodide to convert the collected chlorine to chloride ion that is subsequently determined by a chloride ion-selective electrode in the laboratory.…”

“…2,3 The permissible exposure limit to chlorine for the timeweighted average (TWA) concentration in the United States is 0.5 ppm, 4 while the short-term exposure limit (STEL) in both the United States and the United Kingdom is 1 ppm. 4,5 As the presence of gaseous chlorine in many workplaces is common, 6,7 on-site monitoring of this hazardous gas is required by the regulatory bodies to ensure workplace health and safety. 8 To date, a method developed by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been the standard method for workplace chlorine exposure evaluations.…”