Emergency Relief Items Catalogue 2002
Chlorine, HTH
Code
Description
DASDCHLA7G5
CHLORE (HTH), 60 to 70%, granulates,
5 kg box, IATA
CHLORE (HTH), 60 to 70%, granulates,
25 kg box, IATA
CHLORE (HTH), 60 to 70%, granulates,
45 kg drum
DASDCHLA7G25
DASDCHLA7G45
Cold chain: No
Dangerous: Yes
Ind. price
Ship. weight
Ship. Vol.
CHF 41.00
6kg
0.01m³
CHF 150.00
27kg
0.027m³
CHF 170.00
48kg
0.054m³
Regulated: Yes IATA packing
General information
Indications
‰Disinfection
of surgical instruments and linen.
‰Disinfection
of floors and surfaces.
‰Water
disinfection.
Presentation
Calcium hypochlorite (“HTH” High Test Hypochlorite) grains, ± 70% available chlorine.
The form Granulates is recommended instead of the powder form which is extremely dangerous to
manipulate (highly volatile).
1 plastic measure (15g).
IATA container, labelling and packaging of 10 individual tins of 0.5kg in 1 box of total weight 5kg net
(according to UN n°2880 for air transport regulation –cargo and mixed cargo/passengers-).
There are also 25kg drums for air transport in cargo airplanes, and 45kg drums that could be used for
road (ADR6,61b) and sea (IMC08) shipments only. Sea transport by refrigerated containers only.
The UN2880 correspond to wet HTH with the below specifications of 5.5 to 10% moisture.
The dry type of HTH corresponds to UN1748 number with packaging identical to UN 2880.
The chlorine content should be labelled on the product’s packaging and expressed in % of available
chlorine.
The chlorine content of diluted solution is expressed: either in % of available chlorine, or in parts per
million (ppm) of available chlorine, or in mg/litre of available chlorine.
0.0001% of available chlorine = 1ppm = 1mg/litre.
The available (free) chlorine can be measured with a pool tester.
Use
For clean conditions (e.g. instruments and linen): 0.1% (1000ppm) available chlorine.
For floors, equipment and furniture in reasonably clean conditions: 0.2% (2000ppm) available
chlorine.
For floors and equipment in dirty conditions: 0.5% (5000ppm) available chlorine.
For chlorinating drinking water a stock solution of 1% available chlorine is used.
The 1% available chlorine stock solution should be kept in an airtight, opaque, non metallic container,
away from light and heat and should be replaced every 1 to 2 weeks.
(For chlorinating technics, see Guide “Public health engineering in emergency situation”, MSF).
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Emergency Relief Items Catalogue 2002
Precautions
Handle the dry product with care (avoid jolts and exposure to high temperatures or flames).
Avoid inhaling vapours and dust when opening or handling the containers.
Always dilute in non-metal containers just before use.
Prepare solution with clean water.
Do not mix with detergents.
Do not bring the dry product in contact with organic materials (e.g.: corpses): risks of explosion or
spontaneous flames.
Handling and Storage
Ventilation:
Use local exhaust ventilation to minimize dust level and chlorine gas
Respiratory protection: Chlorine cartridge gull face piece respirator with dust/mist pre-filter
Personal protection:
Neoprene or PVC glove, boots and apron/suit
Keep containers tightly sealed. Store in a clean dry well ventilated area.
Production of gases will anyway damage all carton boxes present in the same room, thus it is
recommended to store HTH on its own in a separate area from general stock.
After a while it will also damage its own carton packaging, thus long storage (more than 6 month) is
not recommended for containers in carton boxes.
Keep away from sources of heat where temperatures in excess of 52°C for a period of 24 hours or
more will be encountered.
Keep separated from powdered metals, ammonium compounds cyanides and hydrogen peroxide.
Keep away from moisture, never use a wet scoop to take some HTH from a drum. This may end up in
an explosion followed by fire.
Reacts with acids, evolving chlorine, an irritating corrosive and toxic gas.
May cause fire in contact with combustible material.
Corrosive to most metal in the presence of moisture.
Toxicology information
Signs, symptoms, and effects of exposure:
EYE: Exposure may cause severe irritation and/or chemical burns with corneal damage. Impairment of
vision is possible.
SKIN: Accurate exposure can cause severe irritation and/or chemical burns Chronic exposure effects
would be similar to those from accurate exposure except for secondary effects to tissue destruction.
Prolonged skin exposure may cause dermis destruction with impaired skin regeneration at the site of
contact.
INGESTION: Ingestion can cause irritation and/or chemical burns to the gastrointestinal tracts
characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bleeding and ulceration. Chronic
toxicity via this route is unlikely due to its corrosive nature.
INHALATION: Acute exposure may cause severe irritation to respiratory tract resulting in lung
oedema which can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, choking, chest pain and impaired lung
function. Inhalation of high concentrations can result in permanent lung damage Chronic exposure
may cause impairment of lung function and permanent lung damage.
First Aid Measures
EYES: Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the
upper and lower eyelids. Call immediately a physician.
SKIN: Immediately flush with water for at least 15 minutes. Call a physician. If clothing comes in
contact with the product, the clothing should be removed immediately and should be laundered before
re-use.
Water and Sanitation
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Emergency Relief Items Catalogue 2002
INGESTION: Immediately drink large quantities of water. DO NOT induce vomiting. Call
immediately a physician. DO NOT give anything by mouth if the person is unconscious or if having
convulsions.
INHALATION: Remove victim to fresh air. Support respiration if needed. Call a physician.
Fire-Fighting measures
Cool exposed containers with water.
Do not use dry extinguishers containing ammonium compounds.
Remarks
The taste of chlorine in water is not a proof of residual chlorine.
For equipment disinfection, Sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) should be preferred as they are
less corrosive.
See MSF “Essential Drugs” and HCR/MSF “Guide for the use of disinfectants”.
Can often be purchased locally, see local water responsible, hotel swimming pool, etc.
The local purchase if possible is highly recommended because transport constraints considerably
increase the price of HTH.
Do not confuse with chlorinated lime which only contains 30% available chlorine and is less stable.
Storage: Store in air-tight containers: protected from light, heat and humidity.
Good preservation (2% average available chlorine loss per year).
Specifications
Product
Calcium hypochlorite in granular form, highly soluble in water
Granular size:
More than 90% retained on 150micron standard sieve
More than 85% passing through 1.4mm standard sieve.
Available chlorine: 68 %
Stability: 10 % of loss of chlorine of the initial available chlorine.
Moisture content: 5,5 to 10 %
Packing and marking
To be packed in approved containers according to:
IATA
Calcium hypochlorite mixtures, Wet, UN 2880 PG II, ERG N° 45
IMDG
Calcium hypochlorite mixtures, Wet, Cl. 5.1. UN 2880
IMDGM Page 5138; EmS N° 5.1-06
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