Burn Injury Lawyer

Chlorine Burns

Chlorine is one of the 10 most commonly produced chemicals in the United States. It is an ubiquitous and used to treat water and bleach a variety of items. In addition, it was the first poison gas used during World War One.

When used to treat water, chlorine is responsible for disinfecting water in general. It is also used as a part of the sanitation process for sewage and industrial waste. While it is generally controlled, widespread exposure to chlorine can occur following any accidental spill or release of the chemical which is a gas at room temperature.

Because it is a gas at room temperature, exposure is generally via inhalation. Although inhalation is the primary cause, people can also be burned by chlorine through skin contact, eye contact, or ingestion of food or water that has been contaminated with chlorine.

When a person is exposed to chlorine, the chlorine reacts with the water in a person’s cells. When it reacts, it joins with the hydrogen in the water and creates Hydrochloric acid. This makes chlorine corrosive. Low level exposure to the chemical causes skin, eye, or airway irritation. A sore throat and cough may also occur. Higher levels of exposure can be dangerous. The chlorine can cause the chest to tighten, wheezing, dyspnea (shortness of breath), and bronchospasm (sudden constriction of the muscles in the walls of the bronchi).

When a person experiences a chlorine burn, the chemical burn should be treated as a thermal burn.

If you have been injured by exposure to chlorine, contact the burn lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 1-866-950-9000 to discuss your case and to determine your legal options.