Causes and Risks:

• chlorine

Where Found:

• swimming pool water (added in the form of sodium hypochlorite)
• gas released when mixing bleach with some of the powdered cleansing products and ammonia
• some bleach products
• Clorox

Symptoms: from swallowing:

• body as a whole
  • severe pain in the mouth
  • fever
• respiratory
  • inability to breathe due to the throat swelling shut
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • severe pain in the throat
• gastrointestinal
  • severe abdominal pain
  • vomit containing dark colored blood
• heart and blood vessels
  • rapid drop in blood pressure

• body as a whole
  • weakness
  • tight chest
• respiratory
  • coughing
  • a feeling one cannot get enough air
  • shortness of breath
  • coughing up blood
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • choking
• skin
  • bluish colored lips and fingernails
• heart and blood vessels
  • low blood pressure
• rapid pulse
  • nervous system
  • dizziness

Home Treatment: DO NOT INDUCE EMESIS (VOMITING).

If chlorine is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

If chlorine was swallowed, drink water or milk IMMEDIATELY If the patient is vomiting, keep giving water or milk. Give milk of magnesia (if on hand)- 4 to 6 ounces.

For inhalation poisoning, remove the patient to fresh air.

Before Calling Emergency: Determine the following information:

• the patient’s age, weight, and condition
• the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed

Call Poison Control: They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What To Expect: Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:
for swallowed poison:

• Give fluids.
• Give milk of magnesia.
• Treat the symptoms.

• Treat the symptoms.

The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on how rapidly the acid was diluted and neutralized. Extensive damage to the mouth, throat, and stomach are possible. The ultimate outcome will dependent on the extent of this damage.