Key Points

Fire

• Non combustible under normal conditions
• Emits toxic fumes of chlorine when mixed with acidic or alkaline solutions
• In the event of a fire involving sodium hypochlorite, use fine water spray and wear liquid-tight protective clothing with breathing apparatus

Health

• Exposure to sodium hypochlorite may arise due to ingestion, skin contact or splashes in the eye; exposure to chlorine gas may occur by inhalation
• Toxic by all routes
• Corrosive
• Short-term ingestion may cause burns to the mouth and throat, and sickness
• Short-tem inhalation may cause irritation of eyes and nose, sore throat, cough, chest tightness, headache and confusion
• Short-term eye exposure may cause pain, watering eyes and sensitivity to light
• Short-term skin exposure to household products is unlikely to damage intact skin. Long-term exposure may cause irritation, swelling and blisters
• Sodium hypochlorite is not thought to cause cancer
• Sodium hypochlorite is not thought to cause damage to the unborn child

Environment

• Dangerous for the environment
• Inform Environment Agency of substantial release incidents

All sections are available to download in PDF format.

 

• Sodium hypochlorite - Full Document (PDF, 209 KB)
  HPA Compendium of Chemical Hazards Sodium hypochlorite, version 3, 2011. This document will be reviewed not later than 3 years or sooner if substantive evidence becomes available.
  Added/updated: 13 January 2012
  
• General Information - Sodium hypochlorite (PDF, 54 KB)
  Sodium hypochlorite General information, version 1, 2007.
  Added/updated: 30 March 2011
  
• Incident Management - Sodium hypochlorite (PDF, 136 KB)
  Sodium hypochlorite Incident management, version 3, 2011. This document will be reviewed not later than 3 years or sooner if substantive evidence becomes available.
  Added/updated: 13 January 2012
  
• Toxicological Overview - Sodium hypochlorite (PDF, 43 KB)
  Sodium hypochlorite Toxicological overview, version 1, 2007.
  Added/updated: 30 March 2011