Quick Green Laundry Tip – Skip the Bleach

Hi folks,

I noticed a few misconceptions in your post about bleach [http://www.bestgreenhometips.com/2008/08/quick-green-laundry-tip-skip-the-bleach/]. As a scientist from Clorox, I thought it would be helpful to clarify a few points:

• First, the toxicity of bleach has been inaccurately portrayed: see http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_scher/docs/scher_o_080….
o Sodium hypochlorite does not cause cancer, nor is it a reproductive toxicant;
o Pediatric ingestions and exposures are not a problem; nearly all pediatric household bleach exposures are managed at home, with dilution as the only treatment. Very few result in adverse effects or receive specific therapies other than decontamination
o Exposure may have minor, temporary effects, such as skin and eye irritation (localized). Though the potential increases with concentration (such as industrial strength hypochlorite), harm is unlikely if promptly followed by first aid treatment.
o It does not cause sensitization (allergies) nor asthma – like other chemicals, hypochlorite exposure may trigger asthma through irritation when individuals are at risk

• Second, bleach actually protects public health and our pets.
o For nearly 100 years, Clorox® Regular-Bleach – sodium hypochlorite – has been used in places where killing germs is critical including hospitals, schools and in the home. It prevents the spread of diseases like MRSA and the EPA recognizes bleach as an approved disinfectant that can kill these deadly bacteria.
o See page 7 of the EPA list of approved disinfectants for MRSA: http://epa.gov/oppad001/list_h_mrsa_vre.pdf
o The American Association of Poison Control Centers database shows that there have been no reported deaths related to sodium hypochlorite –see page 62 that shows zero deaths in 2006. http://www.aapcc.org/archive/Annual%20Reports/06Report/2006%20Annual%20R...
o For pet health, Clorox® Regular-Bleach can kill both the feline and canine parvovirus on hard, nonporous surfaces and can be used to disinfect pet’s food and water bowls to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.

• Third, sodium hypochlorite – the chemical composition of bleach – does not pollute water supplies or soil because it starts and ends as primarily salt water. In the household use you describe, about 95 to 98 percent of bleach breaks down rapidly to mostly salt, the remainder is effectively treated by sewer or septic systems.
o A report by the European Union Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks says, “…disappearance of hypochlorite is practically immediate in the natural aquatic environment,” and “…for the soil compartment, the role of hypochlorite pollution is assumed as negligible.” http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_scher/docs/scher_o_082….
o Finally, bleach plays an important role in household laundry use. Liquid bleach, like Clorox® Regular- Bleach, is the best additive of choice because it not only gets out stains; it removes body soils and kills germs that detergent alone can leave behind unlike Borax. Check out the Dr. Laundry blog and his bleach facts section: http://www.drlaundryblog.com/?cat=9

I would be happy to talk with you more about the benefits of bleach (I’ve tried to be somewhat brief about a complicated subject), or if you would like more information you can go to http://www.factsaboutbleach.com.

Thanks for your consideration!