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Why Does Bleach Irritate People's Skin & Eyes?

Bleach irritates people's skin and eyes because of the presence of chlorine, the ingredient that whitens laundry and disinfects surfaces.

  1. Description

    • Chlorine is an extremely corrosive element. Contact with concentrated chlorine solutions can cause severe skin burns and permanent eye damage.

    Dilution

    • Typical household bleach is a diluted solution of about 5% sodium hypochlorite, a chlorine compound. At this low level, the corrosive effect is not as serious, usually producing only minor irritation.

    Irritation

    • Symptoms of skin contact with chlorine bleach include redness and burning. Eye contact can cause redness, watering and burning.

    Treatment

    • In case of skin contact with bleach, the National Institutes of Health recommends removing any affected clothing and thoroughly rinsing off the area with clean water. For eye contact, flush the eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes.

    Alternative

    • Chlorine-free bleaches do not have the same irritant effect as chlorinated beaches. These products typically use hydrogen peroxide.

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