Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Mixed bleach with acid and inhaled it
Quickstart:
Bleach bottles warn us not to mix it with other materials -- here's the main issue: Bleach is actually chlorine gas dissolved in water. To stay dissolved, the solution is made highly alkaline; otherwise the chlorine gas comes pouring out into the air.
Mixing bleach with any acid (CLR, Lime Away, pool acid, strong vinegar, etc.) can neutralize that alkali, and the air will fill with choking chlorine gas.
Q. Hi I was at work and I mixed phosphoric acid with bleach by accident we inhaled a bit of it then left the room for fresh air. But my throat was not burning but scratchy like I was catching a cold. My chest felt like some one was sitting on me. I felt better after drinking several bottles of water and inhaling fresh air. I wonder should I go to the doctor. It has been several hours and I feel fine. What would the doctor do that I can't do at home.
Anissa PendergrassCustodian - Louisville, Kentucky, United States
November 21, 2008
A. Hi, Anissa. Glad you are feeling better. You have inhaled chlorine gas but it is certainly possible that you are fine; unfortunately it's impossible for me to hazard a guess as to what your doctor might or might not discover from examining you. And I can't comment because without medical training. I don't even know whether your doctor would have a particular test or inspection he would want to do based on the accident and your medical history. At this point, if you have a regular doctor, just phone the office, tell them what happened and let them decide.
However ... What is happening out there in worker land, where employers are supposed to be maintaining worker's compensation insurance, and where signs are supposed to be posted "Report EVERY accident, NO MATTER HOW MINOR".
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. Chlorine gas is very irritating. I mixed bleach with potassium permanganate ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and it was very irritating. I was better after a few hours.
TSL Lofland- marshall, North Carolina
August 12, 2022
A. Magazine: "C&EN" (chemical and engineering news)
Date: 13-Nov-2019
Article: Accidental mix of bleach and acid kills Buffalo Wild Wings employee.
Incidents like this, which create chlorine gas, occur more than 2,000 times per year in the US.
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Be safe ...
- Winnipeg, CANADA
August 12, 2022
For much deeper coverage, please see these related threads:
• Topic #19953 "What's the toxic effects of mixing muriatic acid and bleach"
• Topic #40647 "Inhaled fumes from Bleach and C.L.R. accidentally mixed"
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