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Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards (CIMAH) Report Page 11
Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd Revision 01
Part A: Information on the Hazardous Substances Date Aug 2019

A.3.0 HAZARD POSED BY THE HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE

A brief description of the hazards which may be created by the hazardous
substance

Complete physical and chemical properties of Chlorine and Sodium Silicofluoride
and the safety and health data are provided in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) shown
in Appendix A2.

A.3.1 Chlorine

A.3.1.1 Fire & Explosion Hazard

Chlorine is neither explosive nor flammable. Chlorine will support combustion under
certain conditions. Many materials that burn in oxygen (air) atmospheres will also
burn in chlorine atmospheres.

A.3.1.2 Toxicity and Health Hazard

Chlorine gas is primarily a respiratory irritant. It is so intensely irritating that low
concentrations in the air (well below 1 ppm) are detectable by most people. At low
concentrations, chlorine gas has an odor similar to household bleach. As the
concentrations increase from the level of detection by smell, so does the symptom to
the exposed individual. For chlorine concentrations above 5 ppm, the gas is very
irritating, and it is unlikely that any person would remain in such exposure for more
than a very brief time unless the person was trapped or unconscious. The effects of
exposure to chlorine may become more severe for up to 36 hours after the incident.

Chlorine gas may produce physical effects of frostbite injury through contact with and
expansion of liquid into the gaseous phase. Chlorine combines with water will
produce hypochlorous and hydrochloric acids. Chlorine gas is known as a substance
able to produce severe toxic effects in the upper and lower respiratory tract and any
mucus membranes, including the eyes. Although chlorine gas is water-soluble, it is
not completely removed by upper airways from inhaled air and may reach the alveoli
directly, producing both acute and delayed effects. Animal testing demonstrates
airway epithelial detachment and necrosis, airspace and airway edema and
inflammatory infiltrate. This is consistent with the expected tissue damage from an
acid and a strong oxidizer.

Therefore, toxicity and health hazard of chlorine have been the concern of producing
potential major accident hazards which are further evaluated in Part D of this report.