ICD-10-CM Code T59.4X1A
Toxic effect of chlorine gas, accidental (unintentional), initial encounter

chlorine gas poisoning, also known as bertholite poisoning is illness resulting from the toxic effect of chlorine in its gaseous states. it occurs after the inhalation of chlorine gas beyond the threshold limit value. chlorine gas is a toxic gas and pulmonary irritant with intermediate water solubility that causes acute damage to the receptors in the epithelium of the respiratory tract. the dose inhaled determines the toxicity on the respiratory tract. occupational exposures constitute the highest risk of toxicity and common domestic exposure results from the mixing of chlorine bleach with acidic washing agents such as acetic, nitric and phosphoric acid. prolonged exposure to low concentration of chlorine gas may have lethal effects, as can short-term exposure to high concentrations. chlorine gas damages the respiratory tract using a chloride shift mechanism involving the exchange of bicarbonate (hco3−) and chloride (cl−) across the membrane of red blood cells (rbcs).