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What Causes Shortness Of Breath After Mixing Of Bleach?
Question: wife mixed bleach w/ clr.. Area was Ventalated well but after 1-2 min she noticed shortness of breath... no wheezing, cough or dizziness. this was 15 min ago and she is feeling somewhat better, ie easier to breath. what should I do both short and long term
wife is able to take a deep breath now... 25 min after initial exposure
wife is able to take a deep breath now... 25 min after initial exposure
Brief Answer:
Please allow her to breathe fresh air open surroundings and observe
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX XXXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in.
I have read through your query in detail.
The mixing of bleach might have caused release of chloramine fumes which are highly toxic and were inhaled by your wife. It is good that the place was well ventilated but due to the sudden concentration of fumes, she might have developed irritation in the respiratory passage and therefore shortness of breath.
It is important to take her outdoors and have her breathe fresh air and this will make her feel better. As she is able to take deep breaths after 25 minutes following possible exposure, please ask her to take deep breaths of in the fresh air outside the house by allowing her to take rest in a comfortable position for breathing.
This would be a minor exposure and if she is not having any more difficulties then there is no concern.
When chloramine gas is inhaled in significant quantities such as in industrial accidents, the patient has a high risk of lung injury and the patient might become unconscious leading to lung edema which is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention. There is even injury to eyes and mucous membranes.
Short term and long term effects of inhalation depends on the amount of gas exposed to and the quantity that has entered the respiratory tract. The symptoms would have been more severe if the space was not ventilated. Watch out for any persisting difficulty in breathing and if present it indicates mild lung injury and your wife must be taken to emergency room.
With small amount of exposure to gas in domestic setup and if she does not have any more symptoms then there is no risk of long term impact due to the gas exposure.
Please dispose the toxic chemical mixture carefully and allow the house to be airy for sometime before entering so that you do not inhale any more fumes.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please allow her to breathe fresh air open surroundings and observe
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX XXXXXXX,
Thanks for writing in.
I have read through your query in detail.
The mixing of bleach might have caused release of chloramine fumes which are highly toxic and were inhaled by your wife. It is good that the place was well ventilated but due to the sudden concentration of fumes, she might have developed irritation in the respiratory passage and therefore shortness of breath.
It is important to take her outdoors and have her breathe fresh air and this will make her feel better. As she is able to take deep breaths after 25 minutes following possible exposure, please ask her to take deep breaths of in the fresh air outside the house by allowing her to take rest in a comfortable position for breathing.
This would be a minor exposure and if she is not having any more difficulties then there is no concern.
When chloramine gas is inhaled in significant quantities such as in industrial accidents, the patient has a high risk of lung injury and the patient might become unconscious leading to lung edema which is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention. There is even injury to eyes and mucous membranes.
Short term and long term effects of inhalation depends on the amount of gas exposed to and the quantity that has entered the respiratory tract. The symptoms would have been more severe if the space was not ventilated. Watch out for any persisting difficulty in breathing and if present it indicates mild lung injury and your wife must be taken to emergency room.
With small amount of exposure to gas in domestic setup and if she does not have any more symptoms then there is no risk of long term impact due to the gas exposure.
Please dispose the toxic chemical mixture carefully and allow the house to be airy for sometime before entering so that you do not inhale any more fumes.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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