cultivation. It is possible that very low concentrations of chlorine are sufficient for the development of plants.
M. IA. SHKOL’NIK
Poisoning. Chlorine poisoning is possible in the chemical, pulp-and-paper, textile, and pharmaceutical industries. Chlorine irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract. Secondary infections usually follow the primary inflammatory changes. Acute poisoning develops almost immediately. Among the symptoms noted upon the inhalation of medium and low concentrations of chlorine are tightening and pain in the chest, dry cough, rapid breathing, burning sensation in the eyes and tearing, increased content of leukocytes in the blood, and increased body temperature. Bronchial pneumonia, toxic pulmonary edema, depression, and convulsions are possible. In light cases, recovery occurs after three to seven days. Catarrh of the upper respiratory tract and recurring bronchitis and pneumosclerosis are long-term sequellae; the activation of pulmonary tuberculosis is also possible. Upon prolonged breathing of low concentrations of chlorine, similar but slowly developing disorders are observed.
Safety measures to prevent chlorine poisoning include the hermetic sealing of production equipment, good ventilation, and, when necessary, the use of gas masks. The maximum allowable concentration of chlorine in the air at production sites is 1 mg/m3. The production of chlorine, chlorinated lime, and other chlorine-containing compounds is considered potentially harmful and consequently Soviet law restricts the use of female and juvenile labor.
A. A. KASPAROV
REFERENCESIakimenko, L. M. Proizvodstvo khlora, kausticheskoi sody i neorganicheskikh khlorproduktov. Moscow, 1974. Nekrasov, B. V. Osnovy obshchei khimii, 3rd ed. [vol.] 1. Moscow, 1973.
Vrednye veshchestva v promyshlennosti, 6th ed., vol. 2. Edited by N. V. Lazarev. Leningrad, 1971.
Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry, vols. 1–5. Edited by J. C. Bailar et al. Oxford, 1973.