Homes that have flooded may need to be cleaned and sanitized because of contaminated water. A common product used for this is chlorine bleach, which is a diluted mixture of water and sodium hypochlorite.

“Sodium hypochlorite is a very powerful oxidizer that should be used very carefully because it will burn skin and can cause irreversible eye damage,” says Andrew Thostenson, North Dakota State University Extension Service pesticide program specialist.

Thostenson advises taking these precautions when using chlorine bleach:

• Wear eye protection, such as wrap-around safety glasses or goggles.
• Wear rubber household gloves or nitrile gloves.
• Wear clothing that will cover the skin in case of spills. At a minimum, a long-sleeved shirt, pants, socks and shoes should be worn. If additional protection is desired, chemical protective aprons and disposable protective suits are available from pesticide or industrial safety equipment suppliers.
• Open the container and mix the chlorine bleach outdoors or in a well-ventilated room to avoid the buildup of vapors, which can cause eye and/or respiratory irritation.
• If interrupted while working to do something else, wash your hands vigorously with mild soap and water.
• At the end of the day, shower and wash thoroughly with soap and shampoo.

“Homeowners are anxious to get back into their homes after a flood, so they may be in a rush to get repairs finished,” Thostenson says. “However, safety needs to come first to avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor and more delays in getting back into the home.”

If some of the chlorine bleach does get into an eye, Thostenson advises holding the eye open and rinsing it slowly and gently with water for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove a contact lens after the first five minutes of rinsing. Call a poison control center or a doctor for more treatment advice.

He also advises rinsing for 15 to 20 minutes for chlorine bleach on the skin and calling a poison control center or doctor for more advice.

“If someone accidently swallows some chlorine bleach, have the person sip a glass of water if he or she is able to swallow,” Thostenson says. “Do not induce vomiting unless told to do so by someone at a poison control center or doctor.”

If chlorine bleach is mixed with other cleaning agents, especially ammonia, a toxic gas will be released, according to Thostenson. If sufficient quantities are mixed, an explosion can occur.

Vapors from the chlorine bleach can cause people who have compromised respiratory systems and suffer from asthma or allergies to experience serious discomfort or even acute distress, which may require medical attention.

“These are more indications that safety rules should be followed, as well as the instruction on the product label,” Thostenson says.

The NDSU Extension Service has additional information available through county Extension offices or at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – July 15, 2011