Posted by chemist on August 28, 2004, at 20:42:37
In reply to Bleach! Fear of household cleaners!, posted by AMD on August 28, 2004, at 20:29:18
hi a. the answer is: relax. do not freak out. do not expect brain damage. do not pipette liquids by mouth. if it makes you feel better, go to Home Depot. purchase a $25 respirator mask that covers your mouth and nose, and be sure that the filters are approved for more than ash, smoke. wear this while doing laundry. alternatively: do whites in separate loads from colors. use a detergent that claims to ``whiten whites and make colors more vivid.'' do not drink the bleach. do not mix it with an acidifying agent. if you get some on you, do not worry, wash the area with water. all the best, chemist
> Folks,
>
> Does anyone know if bleach fumes, the kind you might breathe in while doing laundry for half-an-hour, cause permanent brain damage? I have this deathly fear of household product smells and last night I was in the garage cleaning things up while a load of whites was in the washer. I spent five minutes in there before I wanted to puke from the smell, and came back in 15 minutes when the smell had dissipated, spending another thirty or so. Did I cause damage? Reversible? Is this fear irrational? If I can't "smell" the bleach, does that mean it's OK? If I cover my mouth with a mask, does that protect one? Am I freaking out for no reason? I can't stop obsessing today that I my mind is lost from this ... ugh! How much of this would one expect before really seeing brain damage? How would I know?
>
> a
poster:chemist
thread:383464
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040825/msgs/383470.html