Chlorine-based bleaches are found in many household cleaners and play an important role in water treatment. However, they also pose a significant risk to the health of living organisms and to the environment. Are there any viable alternatives to chlorine bleach which could be more forgiving to the environment?
Introduction (245 words)
WHAT IS CHLORINE BLEACH
Bleaches are used as household chemicals to whiten clothes, remove stains and to be used as disinfectants, often by oxidation (Mittal, 2007). Numerous types of bleach contain strong bactericidal properties, and are used for disinfecting and sterilizing, thus why chlorine-based bleaches are popularly used in swimming pool sanitation to control bacteria, viruses and algae and in any institution where sterile conditions are needed (Reader's Digest). Chlorine is the basis for commonly used bleaches; for example, the solution of sodium hypochlorite. The concentration of chlorine-based bleaches are often expressed as percent active chlorine, where one gram of a 100 percent active chlorine bleach has the same bleaching power as one gram of chlorine. These bleaches can react with other common household chemicals like vinegar or ammonia to produce toxic gases (Bleach, 2014).
There are a number of diverse health issues which can be associated with chlorine-based bleaches or household cleaners that contain bleach. These include respiratory problems, burned skin, and damage to the nervous system. Often, the direct physical health issue isn’t caused from the product itself, but rather the results of chemical reactions. With bleach, there is a wide spectrum of reactions that can cause multiple dangerous situations, to humans and the environment. Toxins produced as a result of bleac...
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The purpose of this experiment was to examine how the stoichiometry, “the quantitative relationships between substances involved in a chemical reaction”, can be applied to determine the quantity of sodium hypochlorite found in a bleach product. This experiment allowed it to determine how much oxidizing agent is in a cleaner by using a redox reaction, which is a reaction involving the transfer of electrons from the compound being oxidized to the compound being reduced. To determine the amount of oxidizing agent, it is necessary to accurately measure out known amounts of redox reactants, know the stoichiometry
As hydrochloric acid is a corrosive substance there are safety concerns, any hydrochloric acid concentrated above 25% is classified as a toxin be the US EPA as it can cause major corrosive damage to the lungs, eyes and skin if hydrochloric acid come into contact with them. Hydrochloric acid can also turn into the toxic gas chlorine if combined with chemicals such as bleach (NaClO) and potassium permanganate (KMnO4). Chlorine gas is a principle material used in chemical weapons (e.g. world war
There seems to be a low level of concern regarding human B.t.k. exposure, although B.t.k. formulations have caused eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritations, especially in ground workers. Some claims reveal that a majority of these workers were not equipped with ...
Did you know, the personal care products you use every day have dozens of toxic chemicals that link to cancer, asthma, learning disabilities, and more? A campaign community working to build a healthier planet called The Story of Stuff and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, created a seven minute film called Chemicals in Beauty Products: The Story of Cosmetics. The purpose of this campaign film is to inform its viewers, specifically women and moms, about the toxic chemicals in our everyday personal care products, from lipstick to baby shampoo, that we may not know about. It addresses the top harmful chemicals that we are putting into our bodies, the products they are most likely found in, and
Two case-control 4,5, two nested case-control2,6 and two cohort1,7 studies reported estimates for the association between Tetrachloroethylene (TCE) exposure and primary liver cancer. A non-significant association was found between occupational solvent exposure and primary liver cancer among one case-control study, while the other observed a significant association. Hemberg et al. found the odds ratio (OR) for heavy/moderate exposure compared with little/no exposure was 2.3 (95% CI: 0.8, 7.0). The association was confined to women (exact Fisher’s chi-square p=0.007) with the men having a non-significant odds ratio of 0.5. Stemhagen et al. found that among men, the OR for working laundry or dry cleaning compared to not working in that occupation was 2.50 (95% CI: 1.02,...
Green washing: The disinformation disseminated by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible public image. In order for big companies to stay on top of the market today, they are forced to think of advertising strategies to help their public image and advertise their product. Over the years the system has become very complex and also very questionable. Companies are willing to lie, change their logo, and sometimes even their company name just to keep their name and image clean in front of the public just to make sure that they are making their money. Green washing helps this by advertising to the public that they are environmentally supportive and responsible. Most people that are into buying “green products” do not even realize that the company they are buying from is green washing in some sort of way just so that they can attract attention to the public. Green washing companies may advertise that they are “eco-friendly”, but when it comes down to it, the facts hidden behind the curtains beg to differ. Just like in the green washing video we watched in class, the companies may look great compared to the worst companies, but that does not mean what they are doing is still productive for our environmental movement. One company that has been notorious for their green washing efforts for the past couple of decades is the Oil/energy company: British Petroleum a.k.a. Beyond Petroleum. They are one of the world’s largest leading oil companies who has also becoming a large energy supplying company with presence in petrochemicals, gas, and solar divisions. Over the past twenty years BP has been the cause of several deadly disasters in the oil business in the U.S. and around the world. Despite their green washing effor...
Disinfection is applied in water as well as wastewater treatment as a finishing step so as to destroy pathogens but the cause of concern regarding the disinfection process is the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Natural organic matter (NOM) in water has been considered as the predominant DBP precursors. Disinfectants are powerful oxidants that oxidize the organic matter present in water forming DBPs. Chlorine, ozone, chlorine dioxide, and chloramines are the most common disinfectants used nowadays and each produces its own suite of chemical DBPs in finished drinking water (Richardson, 2003). DBPs so formed pose a threat to human health because of their potential to cause cancer and reproductive/developmental effects. Most developed nations have regulated concentration of DBPs so as to minimize exposure to potentially harmful DBPs while maintaining adequate disinfection and control of targeted
Despite the significant benefits of pool chlorines in their capacity to kill hazardous bacteria, it is evident that some of the side effects can be disadvantageous. The general smell of chlorine can be overwhelmingly unpleasant, and the agent can irritate the skin and eyes. It is also has the capability to bleach some fabrics, potentially damaging clothing. Most significantly, excessive air pockets of chlorine gas that surround pools can be hazardous for peoples’ health and possibly even be carcinogenic. For these reasons, some industries have started to investigate new alternative methods to chlorine for sterilising pools. According to Smith and Monteath et al. (2006, pp. 1 - 37), ‘some of these are good alternatives, but they do not achieve the cleanliness, oxidation levels or low price that chlorine provides’.
"Red Bull the company - Who makes Red Bull? Red Bull Origin :: Energy Drink :: Red Bull." Energy Drink - Red Bull Products &Company :: Energy Drink :: Red Bull. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2014.
Our oceans take a large beating every day by the extremely large amount of pollution humans produce. Our society easily dumps their waste into the oceans to dispose of the excessive amount of garbage, sewage, and chemicals, but this small and simple solution is creating an even bigger problem. The way humans dispose of their wastes is causing the death of our beloved marine life. Not only are we killing off our animals, our food source, and our resources, we are also minimizing our usable water. By having a better understanding of the problem on the severe dumping, it will be easier to find ways to help minimize the pollution that is going into the ocean.
The high volume of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) that was used to clean the restroom resulted in the nauseous feeling that I was experiencing and the burning sensation of my eyes, nose and skin. Also, there was no waiting period between the time that the restroom was finished clean and the time that students were allowed to commence using the restroom. Further to that, the restroom is not adequately ventilated. Due to the fact that, presently there are only three windows that allow for
Contamination of Water and Air. Urbanization enhances the proliferation of industries, automobiles, and agricultural practices. Most toxic air contaminants are produced as we endeavor to fuel our homes, automobiles, factories, energy production facilities, and might also be discovered in indoor cleansing mixtures, and construction supplies. Furthermore pollutants found in gasoline, dry cleaning services, and paint thinners and strippers; som...
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