Mixing bleach and ammoniacan kill you.
Impacts of the chemical reaction can range from a cough to a fatal episode.
You also should avoid mixing bleach with other chemicals that are acid-based, including vinegar and oven cleaners.
Savushkin / Getty Images
Toxic Reaction
Mixingchlorinebleach with ammonia creates a chemical reaction that can be deadly.
Sodium hypochlorite is the active ingredient in chlorine bleach.
For home use, bleach concentration is usually between 5% and 10% of sodium hypochlorite.
Chemical pneumonitis is inflammation that takes place if a person inhales material that is toxic to the lungs.
The two types include:
Wildfire smoke, pesticides, and grain dust also can lead to pneumonitis.
Reports of chloramine gas exposure increased in 2020 during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Symptoms can come on after just a few moments and last about 24 hours in mild cases.
They will talk you through the steps you should take in case of chloramine gas exposure.
If you are unable to move the person, ventilate the room as much as possible.
Toxic exposure to gas formed by mixing bleach and ammonia is treated with oxygen therapy and steroid breathing treatments.
In extreme cases, chemical pneumonitis can occur.
This may require temporary assistance from a breathing machine and suction of thetrachea(windpipe).
Before mixing cleaning supplies, always check the labels.
Chlorine bleach can be listed as bleach, chlorine bleach, or sodium hypochlorite.
Ammonia may be listed as ammonia or ammonium hydroxide.
Do not use bleach to clean litter boxes and always flush toilet bowl cleaner before urinating.
Acid-based cleaning ingredients include:
When bleach is mixed with an acid, it can form chlorine gas.
Similar to chloramine gas, chlorine gas is even more toxic and can be deadly.
In addition, pool water contains chlorine and should not be mixed with cleaning supplies.
Bleach should also not be mixed with hydrogen peroxide.
When combined, bleach and hydrogen peroxide emit a highly flammable gas.
Summary
Mixing cleaning supplies can lead to a dangerous chemical reaction that can be deadly.
Even natural cleaners, such as vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, can react with bleach and cause toxic fumes.
2020 Feb 4;54(3):1730-1739. doi:10.1021/acs.est.9b05767
Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.Household cleaners.
UK Health Security Agency.Sodium hypochlorite: general information.
Washington State Department of Health.Dangers of mixing bleach with cleaners.
2020;41(1).
doi:10.24095/hpcdp.41.1.03
University of Mississippi Medical Center.Poison control experts: Mixing household cleaners could have perilous outcomes.
New Mexico State University.Selection and use of home cleaning products.
