Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

HYPOCHLORITE SOLUTION

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Used in the bleaching of paper pulp and textiles, for the purification of water, in
medicine, as a swimming pool disinfectant and laundering agent and as a fungicide and
germicide. Also used in the manufacture of organic chemicals and as a chemical
intermediate. Laboratory reagent. Intermediate

SYNONYMS

"household bleach", "liquid pool chlorine", Chlor-Al, Chlorox

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

Contact with combustible material may cause fire.
Contact with acids liberates toxic gas.
Causes burns.
Risk of serious damage to eyes.
Very toxic to aquatic organisms.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  The material can produce chemical burns within the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract following ingestion.  Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.  Ingestion of hypochlorites may cause burning in the mouth and throat, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, pain and inflammation of the mouth and stomach, fall of blood pressure, shock, confusion, and delirium. Severe poisonings may lead to convulsion, coma and death. Ingestion irritates the mouth, throat, and stomach. The hypochlorous acid liberated in the stomach can cause wall perforation, toxemia, haemorrhage and death.  Necrosis and haemorrhage of the upper digestive tract, oedema and pulmonary emphysema were found on autopsy after suicidal ingestion, and methaemoglobinaemia was also reported in another fatal case.  

EYE

  The material can produce chemical burns to the eye following direct contact. Vapors or mists may be extremely irritating.  If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.  Eye contact with a 5% hypochlorite solution may produce a temporary burning discomfort and slight irritation of the corneal epithelium with no injury.  Hypochlorite in pool water at concentrations of 1 ppm chlorine or less is non irritating to eyes if the pH is higher than 7.2 (slightly alkaline); At lower pH sensation of stinging, smarting of eyes with transient reddening may occur but generally no injury.  

SKIN

  The material can produce chemical burns following direct contactwith the skin.  Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects, however the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions.  Skin contact will result in rapid drying, bleaching, leading to chemicalburns on prolonged contact.  Contact may cause severe itchiness, skin lesions and mild eczema.  A 5.25% solution of sodium hypochlorite applied to intact human skin for 4 hours and observed at 4, 24 and 48 hours resulted in exudation an slight sloughing of the skin on 4 of 7 subjects.  Two patients were reported with chronic allergic dermatitis of the hand related to sensitisation to sodium hypochlorite as the active component of laundry bleach.  Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected.  

INHALED

  If inhaled, this material can irritate the throat andlungs of some persons.  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects following inhalation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, adverse effects have been produced following exposure of animals by at least one other route and good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.  Not normally a hazard due to non-volatile nature of product.  Chlorine vapour is extremely irritating to the upper respiratory tract and lungs  Symptoms of exposure to chlorine include coughing, choking, breathing difficulty, chest pain, headache, vomiting, pulmonary oedema. Inhalation may cause lung congestion, bronchitis and loss of consciousness. Effects may be delayed. Delayed effects of exposure to chlorine vapour can include shortness of breath, violent headaches, pulmonary oedema and pneumonia.  Earlier reports suggested that concentrations around 5 ppm chlorine caused respiratory complaints, corrosion of the teeth, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and increased susceptibility to tuberculosis in chronically-exposed workers. Recent studies have not confirmed these findings. Concentrations too low to effect the lower respiratory tract may however irritate the eyes, nose and throat.  Amongst 29 volunteers exposed at 0.5, 1 or 2 ppm chlorine for 4 to 8 hours the following responses were recorded: itching or burning of the nose, itching or burning of the throat,  production of tears, urge to cough, runny nose, nausea, headache, general discomfort, dizziness, drowsiness and shortness of breath.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Repeated or prolonged exposure to corrosives may result in the erosion of teeth, inflammatory and ulcerative changes in the mouth and necrosis (rarely) of the jaw. Bronchial irritation, with cough, and frequent attacks of bronchial pneumonia may ensue. Gastrointestinal disturbances may also occur. Chronic exposures may result in dermatitis and/or conjunctivitis.  There has been some concern that this material can cause cancer or mutations but there is not enough data to make an assessment.  Limited evidence suggests that repeated or long-term occupational exposure may produce cumulative health effects involving organs or biochemical systems.  There is limited evidence that, skin contact with this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.  Reduced respiratory capacity may result from chronic low level exposure to chlorine gas. Chronic poisoning may result in coughing, severe chest pains, sore throat and haemoptysis (bloody sputum). Moderate to severe exposures over 3 years produced decreased lung capacity in a number of workers.  Delayed effects can include shortness of breath, violent headaches, pulmonary oedema and pneumonia.  Amongst chloralkali workers exposed to mean concentrations of 0.15 ppm for an average of 10.9 years a generalised pattern of fatigue (exposures of 0.5 ppm and above) and a modest increased incidence of anxiety and dizziness were recorded. Leukocytosis and a lower haematocrit showed some relation to exposure.