The Health of Diaphragm Cell Workers Exposed to Chlorine

Chlorine

“…In monkeys no effects have been observed at 0.5 mL/m 3 in a one-year study [295]. Long-term investigations of workers exposed to chlorine, e.g., in chlor-alkali electrolysis plants or in pulp manufacture, however, do not indicate increased rates of mortality or morbidity caused by pulmonary diseases [296][297][298][299].…”

Toxic Inhalational Exposures

“…Some studies demonstrate decrements in diffusion capacity 76 and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity, 77 but the vast majority of patients who survive the exposure to chlorine appear to eventually normalize their pulmonary function over a few years. [78][79][80][81] There is some evidence suggesting a deleterious association between chronic chlorine gas exposure and tobacco abuse. Patients with a heavy smoking history (defined as more than 20 pack-years) and repeated chlorine gas exposure are at greater risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.…”

HETA 98-0217-2768, Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, Sergio Cuevas Bustamante Filtration Plant, Frujillo Alto, Puerto Rico.

“…The largest published study of chronic chlorine inhalation is a survey of 332 workers in 25 chlorine-producing plants in the United States and Canada, together with an agematched cohort of 382 control workers from the same plants not routinely exposed to chlorine. 16 Chlorine levels at various locations in each plant were measured throughout the study year. The TWA exposure to chorine gas ranged from 0.006 to 1.42 ppm, with a mean level of 0.15 ppm.…”