In the 18th century, four scientists made discoveries related to chlorine that set off the creation of chlorine bleach as we understand it today. Some of the most common items in your house might not be as safe as you think. One example? The dangers of bleach, one of the most commonly used disinfectants in the world. To be honest, the amount of ammonia and bleach needed to make this reaction is probably only going to be found in industrial settings. However, I think the chloramine gas issue is reason enough to avoid this altogether. Clean tap water is okay, but what happens when you’ve been using that water to clean and rinse? The evidence for this problem is the next major danger of bleach. Homemade Maleuca Lemon Household Cleaner : Using the disinfecting power of vinegar, tea tree oil and lemon oil, this cleaner will help to keep your house free of germs and smelling delicious.

Flash Bathroom Cleaner Spray, Long Lasting Shine, Fresh, 4.5 Flash Bathroom Cleaner Spray, Long Lasting Shine, Fresh, 4.5

You’ve probably noticed you don’t pass out every time you take a shower. I can’t imagine many people showering much, if that were the case. However, it’s still pretty likely that you’re being exposed to low levels of chloroform in your shower. Even the CDC admits it. ( 26 )In addition, one of the scariest dangers of bleach involves what happens when you mix it (on purpose or without realizing it) with other household chemicals. 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. Enough research has indicated that bleach is connected with asthma symptoms that The Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC) named bleach an asthmagen. ( 44 ) On the hydrogen peroxide side: scientist Louis Jacques Thénard produced the substance for the first time in 1818. It wasn’t used for bleaching until 1882 and then became commercially popular in the 1930s. 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 )

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Sodium Chlorate: One of the breakdown substances from sodium hypochlorite, sodium chlorate is known to accelerate and increase flammability. ( 10 ) Still, some of the dangers of bleach are not well-known, and people continue to mix products and expose themselves and their families to dangerous chemicals, all in the name of cleanliness. Third (and this one is my most concerning problem), there’s no way to guarantee that cleaners don’t mix when you have to use them on the same surfaces, even if you rinse the surface well.If ingested, undiluted, extra-strength bleach can burn the mouth, nasal passages, throat and stomach. Fortunately, most cases aren’t extremely dangerous because of the noxious smell bleach presents, which stops the majority of kids or animals from drinking much of the substance. 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) All that’s really left, as far as cleaning is concerned, is water, right? Well, yes — the instructions on household bleach do explain that it’s only to be combined with water and always diluted before it’s used to clean any surface (the water in the washing machine dilutes bleach for laundry). Disinfecting your shower with chlorinated bleach is one way chlorine might find its way into your shower. In addition, most public water supply systems are treated with chlorine or chloramines to disinfect the water, so running an actual shower likely increases the chlorine content. (Chloramines also interact with organic matter to make chloroform, but not as often as chlorine.)

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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 bleach were your only option, then perhaps it would be worth using it when sanitizing your space or ridding it of mold. But it’s not the only choice — I’ll touch later on better alternatives to bleach. Lemon: In the form of juice or lemon essential oil , this citrus fruit is great for killing bacteria. Just make sure to keep it in glass, not plastic, because the acidity of lemon oil can eat away at plastic.

SAFETY DATA SHEET BLEACH SAFETY DATA SHEET BLEACH

Add to that the fact that showering is meant to remove the dirt from your body, and the propensity many people have for relieving themselves in the shower, and you’ve got a toxic combination. Chloroform is really dangerous on its own, but when exposed to sunlight can also convert to phosgene, an even more sinister chemical that was used as a chemical warfare agent in World War I. ( 30 ) Despite claims that it’s extremely safe when used properly, bleach continues to be the subject of research for its potential impact on respiratory health, particularly in children. The most common physical ailment connected with beach exposure are respiratory issues, including asthma, COPD and chemical pneumonitis. While home cleaning products do not contain enough sodium hydroxide to cause some of these effects on their own (such as chemical burns), there is already evidence that aerosol use of bleach does have an impact on the respiratory systems of both adults and children. Chlorine bleach is not believed to bioaccumulate in the body, but the damage it does may compound over time. ( 5 ) The bottom line here: never treat mold with bleach. Instead, follow OSHA or EPA’s mold guidelines for the best ways to rid your home of toxic mold safely.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 ) Sodium Hydroxide: This is where the chlorine molecules in bleach are released (when it’s combined with sodium chloride). While The Clorox Company is correct in saying that there is no “free” chlorine in liquid bleach, it’s also true that chlorine molecules are released during certain processes of bleach use. ( 3 ) 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.