[ELI5] What does Chlorine gas do in the body to cause harm?

Question

What does the chemical do in the lungs that causes such harm?

In: 7

Answer 1

The most damaging thing it does is combine with water to create hypochlorous and hydrochloric acids. Tissue damage results. In the lungs, the damage affects the ability of the organ to transfer oxygen. which results in suffocation.