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Q&As since 1989
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Bleach and C.L.R. accidentally mixed
I did it and it was a BIG mistake. I was wearing a mask. But within seconds I could feel my lungs burning. Quickly opened windows and put on a fan. I feel somewhat better now an hour later.
- Westchester, NY
February 26, 2023
⇩ Closely related postings, oldest first ⇩
"A Healthier Home ..."
by Shawna Holman
on
Amazon
(affil links)
Q. I accidentally mixed bleach with C.L.R., and I realized this can't be good, I did breathe some in and was wondering what my concerns should be?
Saverio PortolesiHamilton, Ont, Canada
2006
A. If you feel fine, I think your first concern should be to not do it again, and to tell family and friends not to do it, Saverio. If you want to go to the doctor about it, do so. If I felt fine I probably wouldn't go to the doctor, but that's just the personal philosophy of an individual who you never met and might not trust if you did; it's not medical advice. Clearly at least a phone call to the doctor's office is the prudent thing.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. Hey, I just did the same thing and now my throat is sore. As soon as they mixed my sinuses were flooded with a burning sensation. Did the feeling go away on its own or are you still suffering? I mean, WOW, I thought I was under a biological weapons attack or something; the second they mixed I was completely overwhelmed with a burning sensation in my throat, lungs, and nose. Did things work out for you? My throat doesn't feel right and I don't have money for doctors. Lesson learned though. Anyway, please post an update as to what happened. Thanks.
Adam SmithNYC, New York
January 5, 2008
Please don't try to judge your medical situation by the effects of the fumes on someone else, Adam, whose body is not only different but who also may have received a far smaller dose. Chlorine gas and OCl-'s are extremely bad for you, and you clearly should call your doctor.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
"Household Chemicals and Emergency First Aid"
by Foden & Weddell
on
AbeBooks
or
Amazon
(affil links)
Q. So if my daughter mixed these while cleaning and her side hurts when breathing...
... is there something to do at home to counteract the chemical?
Mebane North Carolina
June 30, 2015
A. Hi Deborah. The bleach or C.L.R. bottle might have "emergency" procedures but, even if so, those are designed to immediately counteract the action of the chemical in the first few seconds or minutes, not to treat the patient. Neither readers here nor preprinted instructions can offer medical advice. You should definitely call your doctor's office and let the nurse who answers the phone tell you whether the doctor wants to see her or not. Best of luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Did constant bleach and dog urine exposure cause my heart attack?
Q. I clean at a grooming shop. Breathe bleach and dog urine every day. They do not provide breathing mask. Worked there for three years. Had a heart attack. Could that situation have caused the heart attack?
Jack BlackSacramento California
November 20, 2017
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"The Effect Of Household Chemical products On Our Health"
by Jay Rasavong
on
Amazon
(affil links)
A. Hi "Jack". Best of luck towards a speedy, permanent recovery.
Your health is a subject to discuss with a doctor whether or not you are planning to continue on the job, and with a personal injury attorney if you're looking to assign blame. The first question either will probably ask is whether you smoke, if your weight is within guidelines, whether you exercise regularly, if you track your blood pressure & cholesterol, whether the attack happened at work or home, etc.
I doubt that anyone will be able to quote you actual studies on the relationship between dog urine and heart attacks, or bleach and heart attacks, or dog urine plus bleach, plus or minus dog hair plus or minus shampoo, etc. ... But clearly we humans have known for millennia that constant breathing of foul air is bad for us.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. Hello Jack,
Dog urine commonly contains a large amount of ammonia
[on
eBay or
Amazon] and if the vapors mix with bleach vapors nasty and dangerous compounds can be produced. As a result, seizures, headaches and other effects such as nausea have been observed. I hope you get better soon and I'd recommend air exchange and improved ventilation. If you can open a couple of windows and invest in a powerful fan or two it may help.
Blake Kneedler
Feather Hollow Eng. - Stockton, California
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