HEALTH EFFECTS OF HOUSEHOLD BLEACH

Sodium hypochlorite can be hazardous to our health.  On the pH scale it is an 11 in a common 5% concentration solution, making it a strong base.  If it comes in contacts with our skin or our eyes it can corrode and irritant, along with causing corneal damage to our eyes.  Over exposure may lead to lung damage, choking unconsciousness or even death if inhaled over a long period of time.  It can have mutagenic effects on mammalian somatic cells. In addition, it is toxic to mucous membranes, our upper respiratory tract, skin and eyes.  It may also cause organ damage.  Children are especially at risk to its toxicity, in 2007 14 400 American children were poisoned by household bleach. On the Wilson risk scale it is a 3 out of a possible 4 for health risk.  Finally, its production releases cancer causing dioxin and brain damaging mercury into the air. Caution should be exercised as bleach does have potentially dangerous health risks.