Monthly Archives: May 2016

Deliberations about Toxic Pneumonitis from Mixing Household Cleaners

Household ammonia (5 to 10 percent aqueous ammonia) and bleach (5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) separately have low potential for toxic inhalation injury because of their low concentrations of active ingredients. Exposure to higher concentrations of ammonia cause respiratory distress, death, and residual respiratory damage in survivors, including obstructive changes, bronchiectasis, and parenchymal scarring. Sodium hypochlorite may release small amounts of hypochlorous acid and chlorine gas, but in the concentration found in household bleach it has not been associated with toxic pneumonitis from inhalation exposure when used alone. Mixtures of household ammonia with bleach form a variety of chloramines, but the predominant product is monochloramine, which is produced by the reaction NH3 + NaOCl—►NHjCl + NaOH. Monochloramine is then released as an unstable, respirable gas.

Read more

Canadian Health and Care Mall: Examples of Toxic Pneumonitis from Mixing Household Cleaners

Ammonia is an irritant gas capable of producing inflammation and edema of the respiratory system. It is generally recognized to be a serious health hazard only in the industrial setting, where exposure to high concentrations in a closed area causes significant morbidity and mortality. Household bleach contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite as the active and potentially injurious ingredient. This solution may release chlorine gas and hypochlorous acid but rarely causes tissue damage. In the past year we have seen three cases of life-threatening toxic pneumonitis caused by exposure to a mixture of household ammonia and bleach. This combination forms intermediary chloramine compounds that are more toxic to the lungs than the original products.

Read more