Chlorine is a gas at room temperature.
Exposure to chlorine gas may cause severe irritation of mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and respiratory tract followed by severe coughing, burning, chest pain, vomiting, headache, anxiety, and feeling of suffocation. Severe breathing difficulties may occur which may be delayed in onset. Severe exposure may lead to pneumonitis and pulmonary edema and may be fatal. Repeated or prolonged exposure may result in reduced pulmonary capacity and dental erosion. Contact with liquid chlorine may cause serious burns, blistering and tissue destruction.