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NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
Buca, Izmir, Turkey, 03/05/2008 - Two probable human carcinogens, carbon tetrachloride and chloroform are the leading compounds.
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A number of commonly used household cleaning products (bleaches, mildew stain removers, toilet cleaners, cleaning sprays, gels, and scouring powders) contain sodium hypochlorite that is often accompanied by many other chemicals (e.g., surfactants and fragrances). Mixing bleach with ammonia-based cleaners results in formation of chloramines while mixing it with an acid-based cleaner will cause chlorine gas release. Therefore, the main concern associated with the use of chlorine-bleach-containing cleaning-products has been mixing them with other cleaning products that can generate hazardous fumes.
A recent study (*) published in “Environmental Science & Technology” by Dr. Mustafa Odabasi, Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering at Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey, indicated for the first time that sodium hypochlorite and organic chemicals (e.g., surfactants, fragrances) contained in several household cleaning products react to generate chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chlorinated compounds are emitted during cleaning applications and most of them are toxic and probable human carcinogens.
The study showed that indoor air concentrations significantly increase (8-52 times for chloroform and 1-1170 times for carbon tetrachloride) during the use of bleach containing products. The increase in chlorinated volatile organic compound concentrations was the lowest for plain bleach and the highest for the products in the form of “thick liquid and gel”.
The significant increases observed in indoor air concentrations of several chlorinated VOCs (especially carbon tetrachloride and chloroform) indicate that the bleach use is a newly identified source that could be important in terms of inhalation exposure to these compounds. Preliminary risk assessment suggested that using these cleaning products may significantly increase the cancer risk. Further studies are also needed for a detailed investigation of the health risks associated with the use of these products and other possible exposure routes (i.e., dermal). However, these are not the only adverse environmental effects of the released VOCs, they are also ozone depleting compounds and powerful greenhouse gases.
Dr. Odabasi suggests that the following issues should be considered while using chlorine-bleach-containing products:
● Manufacturers’ recommendations like “pour the product into the toilet bowl and wait overnight” should be avoided
● Since the toxic organic content increase with number and amount of additives, plain products should be preferred
● Products should not be used for the cleaning of large surfaces (i.e., floor cleaning)
● Cleaned surfaces have to be rinsed thoroughly
● Exposure during cleaning should be as short as possible and the place should be ventilated
● Dermal contact should be avoided since it could be a significant route for exposure in addition to inhalation.
“Now it is known that the chlorine-bleach-containing household products contain and release several halogenated toxic organics. My experimental studies on the subject will continue. More importantly, the product manufacturers and legal authorities should work on this problem and they have to take actions” said Dr. Odabasi.
Odabasi, M., “Halogenated Volatile Organic Compounds from the Use of Chlorine-Bleach- Containing Household Products”, Environmental Science & Technology 42, 1445-1451, (2008)
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mustafa.odabasi[.]deu.edu.tr 
