When bleach and ammonia are mixed, a
deadly toxic vapor forms called chloramine vapor. The chlorine that is cleaved
from the bleach is diatomic and can cause major health hazards if inhaled. The
reason chlorine is harmful if inhaled is because it has seven valence
electrons. Because the atom wants to become stable having eight electrons it
will do anything to get that last electron. The chlorine gas will tear apart
the nasal passages, trachea, and lungs and cause cellular damage. The Chlorine
atoms are able to enter the respiratory system because they are intermediately
water-soluble. The alveoli become filled with fluid from the cellular damage and
can lead to death.
All of the chemicals involved in the
reaction are: ammonia, hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlorite (bleach),
chlorine, chlorine gas, chloramine, hydrazine, sodium chloride, and water. The
salt and water are the only two chemicals that are not toxic.
1.) NaOCl à NaOH + HOCl
2.) HOCl à HCl + O
3.) NaOCl + 2HCl à Cl2 + NaCl + H20
4.) 2NH3 + Cl2 à 2NH2Cl
5.) 2NH3 + NaOCl à N2H4 +NaCl +H20
The chloramine fumes are formed when
the bleach breaks down and reacts with the ammonia with water. Explosive liquid
hydrazine will form when there is excess ammonia within the reaction. If there is
excess bleach in the reaction then nitrogen trichloride is created. Nitrogen
trichloride is a “volatile explosive.” When the reaction contains more ammonia
than bleach, hydrazine is formed. This is a three-part process. This chemical
is used for rocket fuel.
Since this reaction is extremely
toxic, it is important to remove yourself from the area and get emergency help.
The reaction may cause a person to become unconscious due to lack of oxygen.
You need to remove them from the area and put them in an area that has fresh
air.
When the exposure time or
concentration to the chemical is short some milder symptoms include: coughing,
shortness of breath, burning sensation in throat, headache, nausea, and
vomiting. When the exposure to the chemical is greater, the more severe
symptoms include: edema (fluid in the lungs), tachycardia, tachypnea, decreased
breath sounds, cyanosis, and death.
In some environments a person is
more prone to becoming exposed to chlorine. These environments have a tendency
to also have other chemicals present, including ammonia. Some of the
environments are: Industrial bleaching operations, household
accidents/suicides, accidently ingestion of chlorine tablets, and chemical
warfare. Chemical Warfare began in World War 1 by France and then later in
World War 2 by Nazi Germany.
There are many different types of
treatment for chlorine inhalation. Through a nebulizer, sodium bicarbonate is inhaled
which neutralizes the acidic condition created by the chlorine. Another
treatment is corticosteroids, which are an anti-inflammatory agent that
increases lung capacity. Bronchodilators such as Albuterol relax the smooth
muscles to stop bronchospasms. Intubation is used to keep the airway open if
the patient is unable to on his or her own.
Ammonia gas is a strong alkaline
solution when mixed with tissue water to create ammonium hydroxide. Ammonium
hydroxide is exothermic and creates thermal injuries. Ammonia is highly
water-soluble. Liquefaction necrosis (tissue death) occurs within the body.
Ammonia gas is found from plants, animals, animal waste, fertilizers,
pesticides, and flame retardant materials.
Ammonia toxicity causes eyes; nose,
and throat burns, respiratory tract burns. It can also cause blindness, lung
damage, and death. Ingestion can cause hypovolemic shock from vomiting and
third spacing. It can cause edema of the face, throat, perforations of the GI
tract, and aspiration ammonia. The level of severity depends on the amount
inhaled, duration of exposure, concentration of chemical, and pH. Ammonia is
metabolized by the liver so increased exposure can cause liver dysfunction.
Chlorine gas affects the body more
than Ammonia affects the body. This occurs for many reasons, some being that
chlorine may have an increased exposure time due to it having a higher density
than air, and less parts per billion are needed to create toxic effects. The
mixture of Chlorine gas and Amminia gas is the most toxic when combined then
when the parts are separate.
emedicine.medscape.com/article/820298-treatment#a1129
www.health.ny.gov%2Fenvironmental%2Femergency%2Fchemical_terrorism%2Fammonia_general.htm&h=pAQH_aQ8o
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