Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Ingestion of sodium hypochlorite

Can someone tell me what symptoms a child would experience if they ingested sodium hypochloride?

Thanks,

Joan Wolfensberger
- Phildadelpha, Pennsylvania, USA
2003

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You probably mean sodium hypochlorite, laundry bleach? Your local poison control center probably has real case histories and authorized synopses on this subject since it must happen with some regularity. That would be more reliable information than speculation from strangers on the web. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003

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Sodium hypochloride does not exist, I think you mean hypochlorite. This is one type of domestic bleach and is highly toxic and corrosive. If a child ingested it, he/she would have burns around the mouth, as well as all the way down the food pipe. He/she would be in great distress and finding it difficult to breathe. This type of bleach contains a lot of chlorine that will be released by the acid in the stomach. Immediate medical treatment is ESSENTIAL- do not bother trying to get the child to hospital as you almost certainly will not get there in time, so get instructions over the phone from the ambulance service or local poisons unit and let them come to you.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2003