Stronger effect / evidence
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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, priority yellow
Toxic to Humans & Animals – Can be fatal on contact, ingestion or inhalation for humans and other mammals.
Irritates The Skin, priority orange
Irritates the Skin – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the skin.
Irritates The Eyes, priority orange
Irritates the Eyes – Can cause irritation or serious damage to the eye.

Chronic (Long Term) EffectsData sources

Asthma Trigger, priority yellow
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, priority yellow
Other Health Effects – Can cause serious damage on contact or ingestion.
Brain/nervous System Harm, priority gray
Brain/Nervous System Harm – Can cause damage to the nervous system including the brain.

Data sources

Direct Hazard » Asthma Trigger

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • Asthmagen (A) - expert listed pending AEOC review
    AOEC - Asthmagens
    Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)
  • Asthmagen (Rs) - sensitizer-induced
    AOEC - Asthmagens
    Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)
  • Suspected asthmagen (R) - but does not meet AOEC criteria)
    AOEC - Asthmagens
    Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)

Direct Hazard » Other Health Effects

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • H335 or H336 [Specific target organs/systemic toxicity following single exposure - Category 3]
    GHS - Japan
    Government of Japan
  • H335 - May cause respiratory irritation [Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation - Category 3]
    GHS - Australia
    Safe Work Australia
  • H335 - May cause respiratory irritation (unverified) [Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation - Category 3]
    EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissions
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure category 3 narcotic effects
    GHS - New Zealand
    New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)

Direct Hazard » Brain/Nervous System Harm

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • H336 - May cause drowsiness or dizziness (unverified) [Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure; Narcotic effects - Category 3]
    EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissions
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
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Inherent HazardsData sources

Reactive, priority gray
Reactive – May spontaneously ignite or explode on its own or in contact with water.
Restricted List, priority gray
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 materials
    Québec CSST - WHMIS 1988
    Québec Workplace Health and Safety Commission (Commission de la santé et de la securite du travail (CSST))
  • Class E - Corrosive materials
    Québec CSST - WHMIS 1988
    Québec Workplace Health and Safety Commission (Commission de la santé et de la securite du travail (CSST))
  • Class F - Dangerously reactive materials
    Québec CSST - WHMIS 1988
    Québec Workplace Health and Safety Commission (Commission de la santé et de la securite du travail (CSST))
  • H272 - May intensify fire; oxidiser (unverified) [Oxidizing liquids; Oxidizing solids - Category 2 or 3]
    EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissions
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • H290 - May be corrosive to metals (unverified) [Corrosive to metals - Category 1]
    EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissions
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • Oxidising solids category 2
    GHS - New Zealand
    New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)

Direct Hazard » Restricted List

These sources refer directly to this chemical:

  • Substances selected for RMOA or hazard assessment
    EU - PACT-RMOA Substances
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • Antimicrobials
    GSPI - Six Classes of Problematic Chemicals
    Green Science Policy Institute (GSPI)
  • Reportable Chemicals
    MA Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) listed substances
    Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
  • Food Contact Chemicals Database Version 5.0
    Food Contact Chemicals Database (FCCdb)
    Food Packaging Forum
  • Food Contact Chemicals of Concern List (FCCoCL)
    Food Contact Chemicals of Concern (FCCoCL)
    Food Packaging Forum
  • Food Contact Chemicals of Concern List (FCCoCL) - TIER 3
    Food Contact Chemicals of Concern (FCCoCL)
    Food Packaging Forum
  • FPF Priority Substance List from FCCdb
    FPF Priority Substance List from FCCdb
    Food Packaging Forum
  • Food Packaging Forum Priority Substances List
    GreenScreen Certified Standard for Food Service Ware RSL
    Clean Production Action (CPA)
  • TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory - Active
    TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory (Active-Inactive)
    US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
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How does this chemical impact the environment?Data sources

Immediate Harm To Aquatic Ecosystems, priority orange
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, priority orange
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 3-1
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • H400 - Very toxic to aquatic life [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (acute) - Category 1]
    GHS - Japan
    Government of Japan
  • H400 - Very toxic to aquatic life (unverified) [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (acute) - Category 1]
    EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissions
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • Hazardous to the aquatic environment - acute category 1
    GHS - New Zealand
    New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ 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 3-1
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • H410 - Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (chronic) - Category 1]
    GHS - Japan
    Government of Japan
  • H410 - Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (chronic) - Category 1]
    GHS - Australia
    Safe Work Australia
  • H412 - Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects (unverified) [Hazardous to the aquatic environment (chronic) - Category 3]
    EU - Manufacturer REACH hazard submissions
    European 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 submissions
    European 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 submissions
    European Union / European Commission (EU EC)
  • Hazardous to the aquatic environment - chronic category 1
    GHS - New Zealand
    New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZ EPA)
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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?

Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Skin contact
Causes serious eye damage
Eye contact

How can I protect myself from exposure to this chemical in the workplace?

gloves
Handle with gloves
suit
Protective clothing
glasses
Safety eyeware