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Protective Equip. / Clothing
Eye/face protection: Face shield and safety glasses. Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Chlorine. Product Number: 295132, Version 5.9 (Revision Date 05/23/2016). Available from, as of July 1, 2016: <http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/safety-center.html/>.
Skin protection: Handle with gloves.
Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Chlorine. Product Number: 295132, Version 5.9 (Revision Date 05/23/2016). Available from, as of July 1, 2016: <http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/safety-center.html/>.
Body Protection: Complete suit protecting against chemicals. The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Chlorine. Product Number: 295132, Version 5.9 (Revision Date 05/23/2016). Available from, as of July 1, 2016: <http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/safety-center.html/>.
Respiratory protection: Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a full-face respirator with multipurpose combination (US) or type AXBEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls. If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator. Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Sigma-Aldrich; Safety Data Sheet for Chlorine. Product Number: 295132, Version 5.9 (Revision Date 05/23/2016). Available from, as of July 1, 2016: <http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/safety-center.html/>.
Handlers must wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes, and socks. ... In case of a spill or leak, handlers must wear chemical-resistant gloves (such as nitrile or butyl) and a full-face canisterstyle (gas mask) respirator with a canister approved for chlorine (MSHA/NIOSH approval number prefix TC-14G) OR a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) (MSHA/NIOSH approval number prefix TC-13F). Since there is always the possibility of a spill or leak, gloves and a respirator of a type specified above must be available and are required for anyone entering into an affected area in the event of a leak or spill.
USEPA/Office of Pesticide Programs; Reregistration Eligibility Decision Document - Chlorine Gas p.38-50. EPA738-R-99-001 (February 1999). Available from, as of July 21, 2016: <http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/status.htm/>.
Employees should be provided with & required to use impervious clothing, gloves, face shields (8 inch minimum), & other appropriate protective clothing necessary to prevent ... skin contact with liq chlorine, & to prevent skin from becoming frozen from contact with vessels containing liquid chlorine.
Mackison, F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) Publication No. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Jan. 1981. 3.
There is some data for chlorine (usually immersion tests) suggesting that breakthrough times through Saranex greater than one hour are not likely.
ACGIH; Guidelines Select of Chem Protect Clothing Volume #1 Field Guide p.64 (1983).
Respirator Recommendations: Up to 5 ppm:
Assigned Protection Factor (APF)
Respirator Recommendations
APF = 10
Any chemical cartridge respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern. Substance reported to cause eye irritation or damage; may require eye protection.
APF = 10
Any supplied-air respirator. Substance reported to cause eye irritation or damage; may require eye protection.
NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-168 (2010). Available from: <http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg>.
Respirator Recommendations: Up to 10 ppm:
Assigned Protection Factor (APF)
Respirator Recommendations
APF = 25
Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode. Substance reported to cause eye irritation or damage; may require eye protection.
APF = 25
Any powered, air-purifying respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern. Substance reported to cause eye irritation or damage; may require eye protection.
APF = 50
Any chemical cartridge respirator with a full facepiece and cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern.
APF = 50
Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern.
APF = 50
Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece.
APF = 50
Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece.
NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-168 (2010). Available from: <http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg>.
Respirator Recommendations: Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
Assigned Protection Factor (APF)
Respirator Recommendations
APF = 10,000
Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.
APF = 10,000
Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepeice and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus.
NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-168 (2010). Available from: <http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg>.
Respirator Recommendations: Escape:
Assigned Protection Factor (APF)
Respirator Recommendations
APF = 50
Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern./Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus.
NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-168 (2010). Available from: <http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg>.
Compressed gases may create low temperatures when they expand rapidly. Leaks and uses that allow rapid expansion may cause a frostbite hazard. Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent the skin from becoming frozen.
NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-168 (2010). Available from: <http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg>.
Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact with the liquid that could result in burns or tissue damage from frostbite.
NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-168 (2010). Available from: <http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg>.
Quick drench facilities and/or eyewash fountains should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is any possibility of exposure to liquids that are extremely cold or rapidly evaporating.
NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-168 (2010). Available from: <http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg>.