Which gas can cause lung and skin irritation?

• A. Chlorine
• B. Ammonia
• C. Ozone
• D. Carbon dioxide

Answer: (A)

Gases that irritate both the respiratory system and the skin pose immediate hazards in water treatment and related work. Chlorine gas is a strong irritant to both lungs and skin. Inhalation can burn and inflame the airways, leading to coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing, while direct skin contact can cause chemical burns and irritation. This dual irritant effect makes chlorine the clear example of a gas that can irritate both areas, especially since it’s commonly encountered in disinfection processes and requires robust safety measures. Ammonia also irritates airways and skin, but chlorine’s well-known dual impact and its frequent use in industry highlight it as the primary pick here. Ozone mainly irritates the respiratory tract, with skin irritation being less central, and carbon dioxide is not an irritant to skin—it affects people mainly by asphyxiation at high concentrations.