April 2002 |
ToxFAQs™ |
for |
Calcium Hypochlorite/Sodium
Hypochlorite |
(Hipoclorito
de Calcio/ Hipoclorito de Sodio) |
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CAS#
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Calcium Hypochlorite 7778-54-3 |
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Sodium Hypochlorite 7681-52-9 |
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This fact sheet answers the most frequently
asked health questions about sodium and calcium hypoclorite.
For more information, you may call the ATSDR Information Center
at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries
about hazardous substances and their health effects. This
information is important because this substance may harm you.
The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend
on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits
and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.
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HIGHLIGHTS: The general public
can be exposed to small amounts of sodium and calcium
hypochlorite by using household products that contain
these chemicals. Workers in occupations that use these
chemicals have the highest risk of being exposed. Sodium
and calcium hypochlorite can cause irritation of the eyes,
skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. Exposure
to high levels can result in severe corrosive damage to
the eyes, skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal tissues
and can be fatal. Sodium and calcium hypochlorite have
been found 6 times each in the 1,585 National Priorities
List sites identified by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). |
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What
are sodium and calcium hypochlorite? |
Sodium hypochlorite is generally used
dissolved in water at various concentrations. Although available,
solid sodium hypochlorite is not commercially used. Sodium
hypochlorite solutions are clear, greenish to yellow liquids
with an odor of chlorine. Calcium hypochlorite is a white
solid that readily decomposes in water releasing oxygen and
chlorine. It also has a strong chlorine odor. Neither compound
occur naturally in the environment.
Sodium and calcium hypochlorite are used
primarily as bleaching agents or disinfectants. They are components
of commercial bleaches, cleaning solutions, and disinfectants
for drinking water and waste water purification systems and
swimming pools.
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What
happens to sodium and calcium hypochlorite when they enter the
environment? |
- When released to air, sodium and calcium hypochlorite
are broken down by sunlight and compounds commonly found
in the air.
- In water and soil, sodium and calcium hypochlorite separate
into sodium, calcium and hypochlorite ions (an ion is an
electrically charged atom or molecule). These ions may react
with other substances found in the water.
- Sodium and calcium hypochlorite do not accumulate in the
food chain.
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How
might I be exposed to sodium and calcium hypochlorite? |
- You can be exposed to low levels of sodium and calcium
hypochlorite if you use disinfectants like household bleach.
- You can also be exposed by swimming in pools where these
chemicals were added to kill bacteria.
- Drinking water from public drinking water supplies where
these chemicals were added to kill bacteria.
- Workers employed in occupations where these compounds
are used to bleach paper and textiles may be subject to
slightly higher levels of exposure.
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How
can sodium and calcium hypochlorite affect my health? |
The toxic effects of sodium and calcium
hypochlorite are due primarily to the corrosive properties
of hypochlorite. If you ingest a small amount of household
bleaches (3-6% hypochlorite) you may experience gastrointestinal
irritation. If you ingest a more concentrated commercial bleach
(10% or higher hypochlorite) or hypochlorite powder you may
suffer severe corrosive injuries to the mouth, throat, esophagus
and stomach with bleeding, perforation, and eventually death.
Permanent scars and narrowing of the esophagus may occur in
survivors of severe intoxication.
If you inhale chlorine gas released from
concentrated hypochlorite solutions you may experience nasal
irritation, sore throat, and coughing. Contact of strong hypochlorite
solutions with your skin may cause burning pain, inflammation,
and blisters. Contact of the eye with mild bleach solutions
may cause mild and transitory irritation. More concentrated
solutions may cause severe eye injuries. Long-term exposure
to low levels of hypochlorite can cause dermal irritation.
We do not know if exposure to chlorine
can result in reproductive effects.
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How
likely are sodium and calcium hypochlorite to cause cancer? |
The International Agency for Research
on Cancer (IARC) has determined that hypochlorite salts are
not classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans.
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How
does sodium and calcium hypochlorite affect children? |
Children are probably affected by exposure
to sodium and calcium hypochlorite in the same ways as adults.
We do not know whether children differ from adults in their
susceptibility to sodium and calcium hypochlorite. In general,
children may be more vulnerable to corrosive agents than adults
because of the smaller diameter of their airways.
We do not know if exposure to sodium
and calcium hypochlorite can result in birth defects or other
developmental effects.
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How
can families reduce the risk of exposure to sodium and calcium
hypochlorite? |
Most families will not be exposed to
high levels of sodium or calcium hypochlorite.
Household products containing sodium
or calcium hypochlorite should be stored in safe locations,
out of the reach of children.
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Is
there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to sodium
and calcium hypochlorite? |
Specific tests for the presence of sodium,
calcium or chlorine in the blood or urine are not generally
useful. If a severe exposure has occurred, blood and urine
analyses and other tests may show whether damage has occurred
to the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. Some of these tests
can be performed in a doctor's office. Some testing may require
hospital facilities.
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Has
the federal government made recommendations to protect human
health? |
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
has set a limit for chlorine, as sodium hypochlorite or calcium
hypochlorite, not to exceed 0.0082 or 0.0.036 pounds, respectively,
of chlorine per pound of dry food starch.
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References |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). 2002. Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents.
Volume III Medical Management Guidelines for Acute
Chemical Exposures: Calcium Hypochlorite/Sodium
Hypochlorite. Atlanta,
GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health
Service. |
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Where can I get
more information? |
ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational
and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize,
evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances. You can also contact your community or state health
or environmental quality department if you have any more questions
or concerns.
For more information, contact:
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX: (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov
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