Cite this Response
Alice! Health Promotion. "What should I do if I inhaled bleach fumes?." Go Ask Alice!, Columbia University, 18 Dec. 2024, https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/what-should-i-do-if-i-inhaled-bleach-fumes. Accessed 26, Jan. 2025.
Alice! Health Promotion. (2024, December 18). What should I do if I inhaled bleach fumes?. Go Ask Alice!, https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/what-should-i-do-if-i-inhaled-bleach-fumes.
Dear Alice,
After a night out with friends, I stopped in a nearby cafe before heading home to use the restroom. Unbeknownst to me, the staff had just mopped the restroom with bleach. Usually, a clean bathroom is a welcome amenity, but this one in particular is very small (barely a water closet) with zero ventilation. Though I was in there a brief time, my eyes and nose began to burn and water, and I could not very well open the door until it was time to wash my hands. It's been well over an hour since I inhaled all that bleach, and my eyes, nose, throat, and lungs all burn. I can't taste anything, and all I can smell is bleach. My head also hurts. I've gotten a lot of fresh air and plan to go back outside shortly, but these side effects have yet to abate. Am I in danger of respiratory damage? Is there anything specific to this situation I can do to alleviate the pain and discomfort?
Thanks for your help.
Signed,
Fuming
Dear Fuming,
That squeaky-clean bathroom really took your breath away! From what you’ve written, it’s hard to tell how much damage your brief exposure may have caused. Exposure to bleach in a closed space can definitely irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. However, it’s possible that the bleach was mixed with other cleaning products. Mixing bleach with ammonia or acids can create toxic chlorine gas that is harmful even at low levels and short periods of exposure. If your symptoms don’t improve, it may be best to seek medical help to rule out any serious or long-term damage.
Are bleach fumes dangerous?
When used according to label directions and in a well-ventilated space, bleach is generally not toxic. However, exposure to bleach can cause temporary irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Some symptoms include red or tearing eyes, blurry vision, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness.
When misused or mixed with other products, bleach can produce toxic fumes that are harmful or even lethal. This includes toilet bowl cleaners, drain cleaners, glass cleaners, and rust removal products, to name a few. Bleach should never be mixed with products that contain ammonia or acid. Mixing bleach with ammonia or acids produces chlorine gas, which is poisonous.
What are the effects of chlorine exposure?
Chlorine gas is more dangerous than bleach. Exposure to chlorine can lead to much more serious immediate and long-term effects. When chlorine gas touches certain tissues such as the eyes, lungs, and throat, it creates an acid that may damage them. This can happen even at low levels and short periods of exposure. If high amounts of chlorine are inhaled, breathing problems may show up immediately. If low amounts are inhaled, it’s possible for symptoms to show up later. Chlorine can also be absorbed through the skin, causing pain, inflammation, and blistering.
Exposure to chlorine can lead to symptoms such as:
- A burning feeling in the nose, throat, lungs, and eyes
- Blurred vision, eye irritation, and watery eyes
- Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties
- Nausea
List adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Short exposure to chlorine is unlikely to cause long-term health problems. Symptoms generally resolve within 7 to 14 days and most people recover completely. That said, symptoms and lung issues could persist if you’ve been more seriously exposed. It's possible for people to develop asthma or reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS), a similar condition that causes chronic cough, shortness of breath, and breathing problems.
What should you do if you’re exposed to chlorine?
If you’re exposed to chlorine, the first thing you should do is get away from the area and breathe fresh air. If chlorine is released indoors, it’s a good idea to open windows and doors to let in fresh air and leave the area until the air is clear.
Since chlorine can contaminate surfaces, it’s recommended to remove all clothes, jewelry, and accessories, and shower immediately. To prevent chlorine from getting in your eyes, nose, or mouth, avoid pulling clothing over your head. If you must, it’s best to close your eyes and mouth, hold your breath, and pull the exposed area away from your face.
Showering using lukewarm water and mild soap is the best way to remove chlorine from your body. To avoid contamination, wash your hair, face, and hands first, followed by the rest of your body. If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurry, rinsing your eyes with lukewarm water for ten to fifteen minutes may help.
If your symptoms persist, it may be a good idea to contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Please note that this is a United States (US)-based number. For those outside of the US please check your local country's phone number. Speaking with a specialist about what you’re experiencing may help determine whether you should seek medical help. Even if you decide not to make a trip to the emergency room, you might want to consider reaching out to a health care provider. They may be able to treat your symptoms and provide advice on how to manage any lingering side effects from your recent exposure.
Wishing you clean air and a clean bill of health,