This month's newsletter focuses
on avoiding major chlorine accidents

Feature Article:.

Avoiding Major Chlorine Accidents In Water Treatment and Other Applications
By Alan Austin,
Product Line Manager

It only takes a 0.75 second chlorine leak to require a safety report. Did you know that in the majority of all chlorine leak incidents, major consequences could have been avoided by quickly shutting off the chlorine supply at the tank valve?

Chlorine is found in many processes, including those used to purify water and treat wastewater, as well as processes to make plastics, vinyl and nylon. You’ll find chlorine supports the manufacture of gasoline additives, brake fluid and antifreeze, as well as popular metals such as titanium, magnesium and aluminum.

How can something that is so common also be so dangerous and potentially deadly when used improperly? Chlorine gas is toxic and green-yellow in color at room temperature. It is also water-soluble. At 0.3 to 0.5 ppm, you can start to smell Chlorine gas and trouble soon follows in higher concentrations.

Preventing Chlorine Accidents
Accidental exposure to chlorine gas need not necessarily be deadly when the proper safety procedures and equipment are in place. Both the U.S. EPA and OSHA have strict regulations for the use of Chlorine. Many accidents are preventable with the proper training and toxic gas detection and emergency tank valve shut-off systems.

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Industry Briefs:.

Eight Injured By Chlorine Exposure
Firefighters allowed employees at three businesses to return to work following a chemical leak that injured eight and caused an earlier evacuation at a Shopping Center in Prince George County, Maryland. Firefighters arrived at a Fitness Club for what initially was thought to be a natural gas leak and explosion. Crews determined that it was a chlorine release and immediately evacuated the club.

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Chlorine Gas Leak At Resin Plant
Almost a week after a chlorine gas leak from a plastic resin producing plant in Mettur, Tamil Nadu, India, affecting nearly 100 people, residents say they fear a repeat of a Bhopal-gas leak situation. There are 17 towns in the vicinity of the Chemical Plant, which produces 60,000 tons of PVC resin and caustic soda per year. Explaining the accident, a plant representative said, "the leak occurred due to a momentary power trip in our chlorine cell house."

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