article_snippet: Dangerous: Chlorine is hazardous chemical that chokes victims and can long exposure to it can result in death .
article_snippet: Chlorine was first used as a chemical weapon at Ypres, Belgium during the First World War to disastrous effect at a time when gas masks were not widely available.
article_snippet: Jennifer Cole, Senior Research Fellow at defence think-tank Royal United Services Institute said: 'Chlorine is easily available from a number of industrial sources and is very hazardous – causing breathing difficulties in particular and in extreme cases prolonged exposure can kill. '
article_snippet: Used in roadside bombs such as this, in the open air, it disperses reasonably quickly and so appears to be intended to cause panic rather than serious harm.'
article_snippet: Although it has many public and industrial uses, it chokes victims to death when used as a weapon.
highlights_snippet: Chlorine is a hazardous gas that chokes victims and can result in death .