Which protection equipment should be selected when responding to a chlorine gas leak?

• A. Full-face cartridge respirator
• B. Dust and mist filter mask
• C. SCBA
• D. Half-face cartridge respirator

Answer: (C)

Chlorine gas is a highly toxic respiratory irritant that can be present in unknown or high concentrations during a leak, and the environment may not be breathable. The safest, most reliable protection is a self-contained breathing apparatus that provides its own air supply and a full-facepiece to protect eyes and face. This setup guards against inhaling contaminated air and also protects you in potential oxygen-deficient conditions you might encounter near a leak.

A dust and mist mask offers no protection against gas and would be unsafe. A half-face respirator can protect only with the right cartridges, which may not be adequate or reliably available in an emergency chlorine leak, and it leaves eyes unprotected. A full-face cartridge respirator could work if you have the correct chlorine-rated cartridges, but in an unknown or hazardous leak, relying on a complete, independent air supply is the safer, more robust choice.