But I think you should never use bleach in your home again, and I’m going to explain why. As a bonus, I’ll also show you some natural cleaning products that can get the job done without putting you and your family in danger.

Dangers of Bleach: NEVER Mix It with These 3 Things - Dr. Axe Dangers of Bleach: NEVER Mix It with These 3 Things - Dr. Axe

It’s possible for chlorine gas to be absorbed dermally (through the skin) and cause pain, inflammation, blistering and swelling. The acid can burn the skin, eyes, ears, nose, throat and stomach. This would be okay, except that alcohol isn’t the only substance that reacts with bleach to create chloroform gas. Water with a high enough level of “organic matter” (also known as dirt) can create chloroform gas. ( 25 ) If all of the above weren’t enough for you, it turns out that bleach is actually neutralized by dirt until so much of it is used that you chance a great deal of inhalation of the fumes it creates. The WHO explains the way bleach works in this way: If you’re unsure about using cleaning products with your septic tank or are looking to reduce the number of chemicals used within your home, there are several cleaning products that you can make yourself using everyday items. In other words, bleach works only on surfaces without organic material. Before using it to disinfect, you’re supposed to thoroughly wash the affected surface, most likely with something that is going to react badly with bleach. ( 51 )This is all the more reason, in my opinion, to ditch the bleach… And probably install a whole-house water filter to eliminate chlorine, while you’re at it. Eight out of ten people in the US have noticeable chloroform levels in their body. ( 33 ) The length and heat of your shower directly impact the amount of chloroform to which you are exposed. ( 34 ) To understand the dangers of bleach, it’s important to know what’s actually in it. After using water as a base, a typical bottle of bleach contains: ( 2) In the 18th century, four scientists made discoveries related to chlorine that set off the creation of chlorine bleach as we understand it today. Chlorine gas can also cause chemical pneumonitis , a condition identified by coughing, difficulty breathing, the feeling of not being able to get enough air (air hunger), wet/gurgling chest sounds and burning in the chest. Repeated exposures can lead to inflammation and lung stiffness, causing respiratory failure and possibly death. ( 50 )

Cif for? And other dumb questions | Mumsnet What is Cif for? And other dumb questions | Mumsnet

To understand the dangers of bleach, it’s best to first look at its most common uses. To be specific, bleach is a disinfectant and stain remover. Many people don’t realize this, but bleach isn’t intended to be used as a household cleaner, but rather after washing surfaces to remove any germs that remain.It’s not that uncommon for people to be poisoned this way, and although most cases of sodium hypochlorite poisoning (the official term for the condition) are resolved without lasting effects, there have been many reports of this chloramine exposure causing damage such as severe lung injury. ( 16 , 17 ) The risk is multiplied when a person has pre-existing respiratory conditions. ( 18 ) If you or someone you know ingests bleach, do not encourage them to throw up but instead give them water and treat the situation as a medical emergency. Carl Wilhelm Scheele of Sweden discovered chlorine in 1774 (although the word “chlorine” wasn’t used to describe it until 1810). French scientist Claude Berthollet was the first to create sodium hypochlorite and recognize chlorine as a bleaching agent. Another Frenchman, Antoine Germain Labarraque , discovered hypochlorites worked to disinfect. In chlorinated water, a person is significantly exposed to chloroform in just 10-15 minutes in the shower. ( 31 ) Again, the presence of bleach used as a cleaner will contribute to this amount. The amount of chloroform you breathe and the amount that you’re exposed to through your skin are about equal. ( 32 ) With a growing number of people moving to live in cities across the world, Cif has aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities, encouraging local communities to make use of their public communal areas & beautifying public spaces that have fallen into urban decay.

Cif | Unilever Cif | Unilever

A number of household chemicals are fine, but there are some chemicals that can cause damage to your septic tank and potentially even kill the bacteria that breaks down solids within your septic tank. Even without combining it with other chemicals, bleach causes issues of its own. Bleach is more likely to cause respiratory problems than other cleaners. ( 41 ) Multiple studies have found that bleach can be particularly problematic for people with asthma or chronic bronchitis, although some small studies indicate it might alleviate some asthma symptoms. ( 42 , 43 ) Pets also routinely get into bleach products, although the statistics on that aren’t as readily available.

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While it’s possible to keep bleach away from kids and pets, there are still a great number of bleach poisoning incidents every year. Cleaning substances account for about 11.2 percent of poison control cases (totaling 118,346 cases in 2015). ( 36 ) This doesn’t break down into bleach versus other cleaners; however, the World Health Organization lists bleach as one of the top poisoning toxins in the world for children. ( 37 ) Sodium Carbonate: This ingredient neutralizes acid and helps to build “cleaning efficiency.” It’s used to improve the ability of bleach to remove alcohol and grease stains. ( 9 )