Can smelling bleach harm you?

Author: Dr. Vickie Windler III  |  Last update: Monday, March 10, 2025

The odors can cause nose, throat, and eye irritation. It can trigger breathing difficulties in people with asthma or other lung diseases. At higher concentrations, contact with bleach can cause skin and eye burns. Burns can be severe and cause blistering, and could even be fatal if bleach is swallowed.

What are the side effects of the smell of bleach?

Symptoms of exposure to higher levels of chlorine include the following:
  • Blurred vision or eye tearing.
  • Burning feeling in the nose, throat, lungs, and eyes.
  • Coughing and/or coughing up white to pink-colored fluid.
  • Chest tightness.
  • Breathing problems, shortness of breath, or rapid and shallow breathing.

Is it safe to stay in a room that smells like bleach?

A strong presence of a bleach odor can be dangerous, in certain circumstances becoming chlorine gas, which essentially asphyxiates you. Your lungs will fill up with fluid and it's just not a great time lol.

How long do bleach fumes stay in the air?

In a well-ventilated area, bleach fumes dissipate faster, sometimes within just a few hours. In contrast, the smell can linger for days in a closed-off room with no airflow.

What happens if you breathe in bleach?

When chlorine comes into contact with moist tissues such as the nose, eyes, throat, and lungs, it forms an acid (hydrochloric acid) and can damage the tissues. Long-term (chronic) effects: Long-term exposure to low levels of chlorine gas could cause permanent lung disease such as bronchitis and shortness of breath.

Never Inhale Bleach - Accidental Bleach Inhalation

Should I wear a mask when cleaning with bleach?

Bleach can burn your skin if it's really strong. The fumes might bother your eyes and lungs. Wearing goggles, a mask, and gloves helps. You should also cover your feet and wear long sleeves and pants.

How long does chlorine gas stay in the air?

Chlorine gas can stay in the air for just a few minutes to several hours. It depends on the size and ventilation of the area as well as the amount of gas present. Open windows and doors to let in fresh air.

Is it OK to smell bleach for a long time?

Bleach can irritate the skin and eyes. Breathing in bleach over a long period of time can increase your risk of cancer. A dangerous gas can be formed when bleach is combined with certain chemicals (like ammonia). Bleach causes the buildup of chloroform in the air.

How to get rid of bleach fumes in the air?

The simplest thing you can do to get rid of the smell of bleach is open a window to let in fresh air and let odorous fumes escape. Even better, create cross ventilation by opening multiple windows. If the strong odor of bleach remains after a few hours of ventilation, use a fan to push air out.

What neutralizes bleach?

Sodium metabisulfite is an effective bleach neutralizer. 2.2 grams (one teaspoon) of sodium metabisulfite added to 2.5 gallons of water effectively neutralizes all harmful bleach residue. Sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) is used in spas to lower bromine and chlorine levels.

Is it bad to sleep in a room smelling of bleach?

Sleeping in a room that smells like bleach can cause irritation to your eyes, nose, and lungs.

How long does bleach stay active?

It can be stored for about 6 months at temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. After this time, bleach will be begin to degrade at a rate of 20% each year until totally degraded to salt and water.

What happens when you randomly smell bleach?

1) You may have some tooth or gum inflammation or infection. 2) Your nose may be picking up residual odors from garments or materials washed with bleach. If it's in your clothing others may not necessarily smell it. 3) Many unusual odors may be associated with sinus infections.

Can bleach fumes damage eyes?

In more serious cases, exposure to chlorine gas can cause permanent damage to the eyes, including corneal ulcers, scarring, and blindness.

Can the smell of bleach harm a dog?

A common household cleaner, bleach (chlorine) can cause vomiting, diarrhea, internal burns and even seizures if ingested by your pet. Inhaling chlorine fumes can also lead to respiratory illness.

Is cleaning with bleach harmful?

The undiluted bleach is very strong. It can irritate your skin and eyes as well as your lungs. There are also health effects from using bleach in a spray bottle. When you use diluted bleach in a spray bottle, you create small droplets that can be inhaled into the lungs by the staff and children nearby.

How do you air out a room with bleach?

Make sure you have good ventilation while using bleach products indoors (for example, open windows and doors to allow fresh air to enter).

How do you protect yourself from bleach fumes?

Wear rubber or other non-porous boots, gloves, and eye protection. Try not to breathe in product fumes. If using products indoors, open windows and doors to allow fresh air to enter.

Will vinegar neutralize bleach?

Never use vinegar to neutralize chlorine bleach. The same goes for any acidic solution. The mixture of chlorine bleach and acidic substances can cause dangerous chemical reactions.

How do you neutralize the smell of bleach?

Vinegar spray: Spray an equal amount of mixture, water, and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Acidity in vinegar has the power to neutralize chlorine gas.

Is it safe to shower after cleaning with bleach?

But before you step into your freshly scrubbed bathtub or launch into your skincare routine at your squeaky-clean sink, experts recommend you pause first to give your bathroom some breathing room, especially if you've used potent cleaners to sanitize and disinfect the surfaces.

Can bleach damage your sense of smell?

Your sense of smell could be affected by too much cleaning. 'Using strong household cleaners, such as bleach, a few times a week in unventilated areas such as a small bathroom can cause the toxic smell to affect the delicate lining and sensory cells in the nose,' says Mr Murty.

How to remove chlorine gas from lungs?

Treatment of chlorine gas exposure is mostly supportive. Removal of the individual from the contaminated environment is the first step of management. Clinicians will assess the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation and provide humidified oxygen as necessary. Severe exposures may require endotracheal intubation.

How do you know if chlorine gas is in the air?

Chlorine has a strong smell and is yellow or green in color

The gas also has a distinct color, and should appear to be yellow or green when released into a space. However, it is the gas odor that most often provides the earliest and most effective warning.

How long does it take to recover from chemical inhalation?

Chemical Inhalation

If you've inhaled chemical fumes, you may experience shortness of breath, coughing, throat and nose irritation, and upper chest pain. The treatment is usually to breathe fresh air and symptoms should go away within 24 hours.

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