Chlorine (Cl) is the chemical element with atomic number 17. The chloride ion, which is part of common salt (NaCl) and other compounds, is abundant in nature and necessary to most forms of life, including humans.

Chlorine is among the ten highest volume chemicals produced in the United States. At room temperature, it is yellow-green gas with a pungent, irritating odor similar to bleach. It is typically pressurized and cooled for storage and shipment as an amber-colored liquid. Chlorine does not combust easily but may combine with other common substances to form explosive compounds.

Chlorine has a variety of uses: to disinfect water as part of the waste water sanitation process for sewage and industrial waste; as a bleaching agent during the production of paper and cloth; in cleaning products, including household bleach; and in the preparation of chlorides, cleaning solvents, pesticides, polymers, synthetic rubbers, and refrigerants.

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