Wednesday, June 6, 2012


            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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