It is used to make synthetic fibers and polymers.
Acute exposure irritates the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.
High exposure levels can cause weakness, headache, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and collapse. Chronic exposure may interfere with the thyroid gland. It is used in making fertilizer, plastics, dyes, textiles, detergents, and pesticides. It is used in manufacturing viscose rayon, cellophane, carbon tetrachloride, and flotation agents. It is used in making other chemicals, as a disinfectant, in bleaching, and for purifying water and sewage.