Chlorine is one of the most abundant elements on this earth, and is a constituent of common salt, i.e., sodium chloride. It is a very reactive oxidizing and bleaching agent and has a wide range of applications.

Applications
Manufacture of

• PVC, a versatile plastic, by chlorination of ethylene
• Pesticides and insecticides such as BHC, , etc.
• Solvents such as TCE, Chloromethanes, Chlorobenzenes, Chlorotoluenes, etc.
• Chlorofluorocarbons used in refrigeration, fire-fighting, etc.
• Mono Chloro Acetic Acid (MCA), needed to make CMC used in textile processing
• Hydrochloric acid, Chloro Sulphonic acid, metallic chlorides & other chlorine based chemicals
• Chlorinated paraffin wax, a plasticiser & chlorinated rubber paints
• Drugs and pharmaceuticals

Bleaching of pulp, cotton textiles etc. Distinfection and water treatment
Physical Properties

Chemical PropertiesI - Flammability
Neither liquid nor gaseous chlorine is explosive or flammable.

II - Reactivity
1. A mixture of chlorine and hydrogen containing more than 5% of either component, forms an explosive substance.
2. It reacts with ammonia, alkalies and hydroxides of alkaline earth metals.
3. It reacts with organic compounds to form chlorinated derivatives and hydrogen chloride. Some of these reactions, particularly those with hydrocarbons, alcohols and ethers may become explosive.
4. Dry Chlorine reacts with several materials.
Packing and Labelling
Packing, labelling & storage of Chlorine are governed by the Gas Cylinder Rules framed under the Explosives Act of the Government of India.
Storage
Chlorine is generally stored and sold in special grade steel containers which are painted "golden yellow" as per IS:4379-1967

Chlorine cylinders should be stored in upright position and secured against falling over. Tonne containers should be stored on their sides and should not be stacked.

The valves on cylinders and tonne containers should be protected a stout metal cap securely attached to the cylinder body.

The storage area should be separate. It should be dry, well-ventilated, clean and protected from external heal sources such as steam pipes etc.
Handling
Cylinders and tonne containers should not be permitted to drop and no object should be allowed to strike them with force.

A flexible copper tubing connection between the container and the piping should be used to draw gas from the container. A barometric leg should be installed before the entry of gas into the reactor.
Fire Hazards
There is no fire hazard, unless Chlorine comes in contact with Hydrogen, powdered metals, phosphorous and certain organic compounds like hydrocarbons, turpentine, ether etc.