Stronger effect / evidence
Weaker effect / evidence
Sodium hypochlorite
CAS: 7681-52-9
How can this chemical affect my health?
Acute (Short Term) EffectsData sources
Toxic to Humans & Animals – Can be fatal on contact, ingestion or inhalation for humans and other mammals.
Irritates the Skin – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the skin.
Irritates the Eyes – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the eye.
Data sources
Direct Hazard » Toxic to Humans & Animals
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- FIFRA Registered PesticideUS EPA - OPP - Registered PesticidesUS Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
- H302 - Harmful if swallowed (unverified) [Acute toxicity (oral) - Category 4]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
Direct Hazard » Irritates the Skin
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- H314 - Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 1A or 1B or 1C]EU - GHS (H-Statements) Annex 6 Table 3-1European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- Skin corrosion category 1CGHS - New ZealandTe Mana Rauhī Taiao (New Zealand EPA)
- H314 - Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Skin corrosion / irritation - Category 1]GHS - JapanGovernment of Japan
- H314 - Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 1A or 1B or 1C]GHS - AustraliaSafe Work Australia
- H315 - Causes skin irritation (unverified) [Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 2]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- H314 - Causes severe skin burns and eye damage (unverified) [Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 1A or 1B or 1C]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
Direct Hazard » Irritates the Eyes
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- H318 - Causes serious eye damage [Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 1]EU - GHS (H-Statements) Annex 6 Table 3-1European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- Serious eye damage category 1GHS - New ZealandTe Mana Rauhī Taiao (New Zealand EPA)
- H318 - Causes serious eye damage [Serious eye damage / eye irritation - Category 1]GHS - JapanGovernment of Japan
- H319 - Causes serious eye irritation (unverified) [Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 2A]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- H318 - Causes serious eye damage (unverified) [Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 1]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
Chronic (Long Term) EffectsData sources
Asthma Trigger – Can result in high sensitivity so that small quantities trigger asthma, nose or sinus inflammation or other allergic reactions in the respiratory system.
Other Health Effects – Can cause serious damage on contact or ingestion.
Data sources
Direct Hazard » Asthma Trigger
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- Asthmagen (A) - expert listed pending AEOC reviewAOEC - AsthmagensAssociation of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)
- Asthmagen (Rs) - sensitizer-inducedAOEC - AsthmagensAssociation of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)
- Suspected asthmagen (R) - but does not meet AOEC criteria)AOEC - AsthmagensAssociation of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)
Direct Hazard » Other Health Effects
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- H335 - May cause respiratory irritation [Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation - Category 3]GHS - AustraliaSafe Work Australia
- H335 - May cause respiratory irritation (unverified) [Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation - Category 3]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- H335 - May cause respiratory irritation [Specific target organ toxicity - Single exposure - Category 3]GHS - JapanGovernment of Japan
- Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure category 3 narcotic effectsGHS - New ZealandTe Mana Rauhī Taiao (New Zealand EPA)
Inherent HazardsData sources
Reactive – May spontaneously ignite or explode on its own or in contact with water.
Restricted List – This chemical is on a list from an authoritative body recommending that its use be avoided.
Data sources
Direct Hazard » Reactive
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- Class C - Oxidizing materialsQuébec CSST - WHMIS 1988Québec Workplace Health and Safety Commission (Commission de la santé et de la securite du travail (CSST))
- Class E - Corrosive materialsQuébec CSST - WHMIS 1988Québec Workplace Health and Safety Commission (Commission de la santé et de la securite du travail (CSST))
- Class F - Dangerously reactive materialsQuébec CSST - WHMIS 1988Québec Workplace Health and Safety Commission (Commission de la santé et de la securite du travail (CSST))
- H290 - May be corrosive to metals (unverified) [Corrosive to metals - Category 1]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- Oxidising solids category 2GHS - New ZealandTe Mana Rauhī Taiao (New Zealand EPA)
Direct Hazard » Restricted List
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- Substances selected for RMOA or hazard assessmentEU - PACT-RMOA SubstancesEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- AntimicrobialsGSPI - Six Classes Precautionary ListGreen Science Policy Institute (GSPI)
- Reportable ChemicalsMA Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) listed substancesMassachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
- Food Contact Chemicals Database Version 5.0Food Contact Chemicals Database (FCCdb)Food Packaging Forum
- Food Contact Chemicals of Concern List (FCCoCL) - TIER 3Food Contact Chemicals of Concern (FCCoCL)Food Packaging Forum
- FPF Priority Substance List from FCCdbFPF Priority Substance List from FCCdbFood Packaging Forum
- Food Packaging Forum Priority Substances ListGreenScreen Certified Standard for Food Service Ware RSLClean Production Action (CPA)
- TSCA Commercially ActiveTSCA Chemical Substance Inventory (Active-Inactive)US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
- DSL-allEC - CEPA DSLEnvironment Canada & Health Canada (EC)
Biocidal Active Substances » Restricted List
These sources refer to a group of compounds containing this chemical:
- Reportable Substances and Future Restrictions in ProductsApple Regulated Substances SpecificationApple Inc.
How does this chemical impact the environment?Data sources
Immediate Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems – A single exposure may result in severe biological harm or death to fish or other aquatic organisms.
Long-Term Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems – Long term exposure may result in irreversible harm to fish or other aquatic organisms.
Data sources
Direct Hazard » Immediate Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- H400 - Very toxic to aquatic life [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (acute) - Category 1]EU - GHS (H-Statements) Annex 6 Table 3-1European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- H400 - Very toxic to aquatic life [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (acute) - Category 1]GHS - JapanGovernment of Japan
- H400 - Very toxic to aquatic life (unverified) [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (acute) - Category 1]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- Hazardous to the aquatic environment - acute category 1GHS - New ZealandTe Mana Rauhī Taiao (New Zealand EPA)
Direct Hazard » Long-Term Harm to Aquatic Ecosystems
These sources refer directly to this chemical:
- H410 - Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (chronic) - Category 1]EU - GHS (H-Statements) Annex 6 Table 3-1European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- H410 - Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (chronic) - Category 1]GHS - JapanGovernment of Japan
- H410 - Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (chronic) - Category 1]GHS - AustraliaSafe Work Australia
- H412 - Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects (unverified) [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (chronic) - Category 3]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- H410 - Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects (unverified) [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (chronic) - Category 1]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
- H411 - Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects (unverified) [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (chronic) - Category 2]EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissionsEuropean Union / European Commission (EU EC)
What safer alternatives are available for this chemical?
Find case studies related to substitutions for this chemical in SubsPORT, the substitution support portal.
How am I likely to be exposed to this chemical?
Skin contact
Eye contact
How can I protect myself from exposure to this chemical in the workplace?
Handle with gloves
Protective clothing
Safety eyeware