The Westmoreland County Hazardous Materials Response Team in Pennsylvania and the Lynn Fire Department in Massachusetts are two of several departments around the country that have posted a list of dangerous combinations of cleaning chemicals on social media.
Since everyone is in “cleaning mode” we wanted to send a friendly PSA to please play it safe w/ chemicals and mixtures. Most chemicals SHOULD NOT be mixed w/ anything, and if they are it’s plain water to help dilute the solution. pic.twitter.com/KE7QqqhpuY
— City Of Lynn Fire Dept. (@LynnFireDept) March 16, 2020
When it comes to having a clean but safe home, avoid mixing the following:
- Bleach + vinegar = chlorine gas (This can lead to coughing, breathing problems, burning and watery eyes.)
- Bleach + ammonia = chloramine (This can cause shortness of breath and chest pain.)
- Bleach + rubbing alcohol = chloroform, which is highly toxic
- Hydrogen peroxide + vinegar = peracetic/peroxyacetic acid, which can be highly corrosive
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people should routinely clean frequently touched surfaces, such as tables, doorknobs and faucets.
With any cleaning product, the instructions on the label should be followed.
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