Frequently Asked Questions

Q: We are upgrading our site emergency response procedures.  What information and guidance can we get from the Chlorine Institute for the chlorine we have on site?

A: The chlorine Institute provides an electronic download of Pamphlet 64, Emergency response Plans for Chlor-Alkali, Sodium Hypochlorite, and Hydrogen Chloride Facilities.   This document includes information essential to the preparation or updating of formal, written emergency response which would be utilized during an accidental release or potential accidental release of chlor-alkali products.  This document can be downloaded without cost from our online bookstore by clicking on the link provided in the last section of this page.

 

Q:  We are preparing to take delivery of chlorine cylinders and want to be prepared if we had a leak.  What would you recommend?

A: If you are purchasing your chlorine through a member of the Chlorine Institute, the provider should be working with you to ensure you are prepared to take delivery.  As a service to the general public and in support of industry safety the Chlorine Institute provides pamphlets, DVDs, checklists and wall charts to aid you. These would include Pamphlet 155, Water and Wastewater Operators Chlorine handbook, Chlorine Cylinder and Ton Container Checklist, B-DVD: (available through your supplier) How to use the Chlorine Institute Emergency Kit “B” for Chlorine Ton Containers, WC-1 Handling Chlorine Cylinders and Ton Containers (available in English, French and Spanish).”  All of the available documents, can be downloaded from our online bookstore by clicking on the link provided in the last section of this page.

  

Q: Is this emergency preparedness training available to non-USA based people or organizations? Can someone fly into one of the destinations to participate?

A: The Chlorine Institute’s TRANSCAER training events are hosted throughout the U.S., as well as Canada. Anyone is welcome to attend these free training events. Please note CI does not cover the costs of travel expenses for training. It is the individual’s or their organization’s responsibility to cover the travel costs. Current training locations can be found on our website at http://www.chlorineinstitute.org/er-training-exercises-and-outreach

 

Q: Does CHEMTREC/CHLOREP respond outside the U.S./Canada?

A: CHEMTREC is a 24/7 emergency call center available to anyone needing assistance during a hazardous materials incident, free of charge to the caller, including assistance outside of the U.S.  CHEMTREC can be reached at 1-800-424-9300 (toll free) or 1-703-527-3887 (toll).
Activation of the CHLOREP® network response through CHEMTREC is a free service provided by the Chlorine Institute member companies in an effort to provide a rapid and effective response to chlorine emergencies in the U.S. and Canada by ensuring that transportation service providers, end-users, first responders, hazmat teams and others have quick access to accurate information and industry expertise, including assistance in mitigating a chlorine release. While the CHLOREP network cannot be activated to assist in responses outside the U.S. and Canada, CHEMTREC does remain a resource for assistance by phone for international emergencies. 
Another resource available to people outside the U.S. and Canada are CHLOREP Level 3 hazmat contractors, who have verified chlorine response capabilities and international mobility. You can find more about these contractors on CI’s website: https://www.chlorineinstitute.org/chlorep-contractors/.  Note that charges may apply for contractor assistance in a response.

 

Q: How can I (or my team) train with CHLOREP® teams?

A: One opportunity to train with CHLOREP Teams is to attend the hands-on training events CI conducts throughout the U.S. and Canada (under the TRANSCAER banner) where CHLOREP Team members and other industry stakeholders serve as instructors.  These events provide outstanding training opportunities for first responders and hazmat specialists/technicians to learn more about effective chlorine emergency response considerations from the industry experts.  Current training locations can be found on our website at 

http://www.chlorineinstitute.org/er-training-exercises-and-outreach

Q: Is chlorine flammable? What kind of fire extinguisher should be used if there is a fire where there’s chlorine?

A: Chlorine is not flammable, but like oxygen, supports combustion.  (Chlorine can take the place of or work in conjunction with oxygen, which alters the chemical chain reaction, and supports the combustion of the fuel.) The choice of a fire extinguisher should be based on the identified fuel of the fire.  Under most conditions, chlorine won’t burn on its own and is thus considered non-flammable.  If a leaking chlorine container is involved in a fire, the source of the fire should first be mitigated so that the chlorine leak can then be handled.  However, chlorine vapors may still persist even if there is no longer a fire.  In this case, you should follow the guidance provided in our Chlorine Emergency Response webinar (link broken), The Emergency Response Guidebook provided by US DOT and contact your local CHLOREP team for mitigating chlorine container leaks.   CHEMTREC is a 24/7 emergency call center available to anyone needing assistance during a hazardous materials incident, free of charge to the caller, including assistance outside of the U.S.  CHEMTREC can be reached at 1-800-424-9300 (toll free) or 1-703-527-3887 (toll).  Keep in mind that chlorine reacts with water to form hydrochloric acid and hypochlorous acid, both of which are very corrosive and can create additional unintended issues, such as quickly corroding carbon steel.  While it may be necessary to use water to contain a fire and extinguish the fuel source, you should refrain from spraying water directly on a chlorine leak after the fire has been put out so that conditions do not worsen.

 

Q:  Where can I find general safety and hazards information on Chlorine?

The Chlorine Institute provides a number of pamphlets with information on safety and the protection of human health and the environment connected with the production, distribution and use of chlorine.  A good place to start would be Pamphlet 1, Chlorine Basics.  This and other relevant pamphlets can be downloaded without cost from our online bookstore by clicking on the link provided in the last section of this page.

 

Q: Has there been proved chronic effects due chlorine exposure?

A: Most studies indicate no significant connection between adverse health effects and chronic exposure to low concentrations of chlorine. Animal studies provide no evidence of cancer in chronic inhalation studies. Neither the industrial accident follow-up reports nor the occupational exposure literature on chlorine indicate cancer-related outcomes. For more details on health effects, treatment and monitoring of chlorine exposure you can download Chlorine Institute Pamphlet 63, First Aid, Medical Management/Surveillance and Occupational Hygiene Monitoring Practices for Chlorine which can be downloaded by following the instructions located at the bottom of this page.

Q: I have questions about store-bought bleach in my home. Can you help me?

A: Chlorine bleach and bleach-containing products, when used according to manufacturer’s directions, are a safe and effective way to deliver the germ-busting power of chlorine chemistry to help control the spread of infectious illness. We recommend the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about this useful disinfecting chemical.

Q:  Are all your publications free?

A: As a service to the general public and in support of industry safety the vast majority are.  Some pamphlets have commercial value and copyrighted information and cannot be provided without a fee. These would include Pamphlet 10, North American Chlor -Alkali Industry Plants and Production Data Report and Pamphlet 72, Properties of Chlorine in SI Units.  Some documents by their nature are members-only documents that are only distributed amongst active members only. 

 

Q: Do you publish production data?

A: Yes, we publish a monthly production report.  It is a commercial information and not a safety document and available on a subscription-only basis. Please click here to request a subscription.

If your question is not listed in these FAQs, you may submit a tech service request by filling out the Chlorine Institute's Tech Service Question Form here.