In fact, the innate immune systems of mammals, and specifically immune cells known as neutrophils, release high concentrations of hypochlorous acid aka bleach upon recognizing microbial invaders. In addition, Jakob said, some evidence suggests that enzymes that produce bleach may help keep the bacteria in our guts in check. The specific effects of hypochlorous acid on proteins help to explain why hydrogen peroxide is an inferior antimicrobial agent even though both chemicals are expected to act as strong oxidants, Jakob said.
Hydrogen peroxide doesn't do much for your countertops, she said, because it doesn't provoke these effects on proteins. Hsp33 also represents another example of an emerging concept in protein biology: that some proteins actually become activated through the act of partial unfolding. Indeed, chaperones react to stress by unfolding in the same way that other proteins do.
Far from leaving them useless, however, that change in conformation is exactly what turns them on. As for whether the findings will have any practical implications, Jakob said she isn't yet sure. It may sound intimidating, but even liquid bleach products that are commercially available for households are diluted solutions of NaClO, as well as secondary ingredients.
However, there are many other types of bleach that can be generally classified into three major categories: chlorine-based, peroxide-based, and sulfur dioxide-based bleaches. Most household and industrial bleaches belong to one of these categories, so the chemical name for bleach will depend on which category the product belongs to. Bleaches in this category rely on the decomposition of chlorine compounds to destroy the molecular bonds in pigment molecules.
Examples of chlorine-based bleaches include:. The active agent of peroxide-based bleaches is oxygen. Well, in these formulations, the bleaching action relies on the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide , or other peroxide compounds. Some common examples of peroxide bleaches are:.
This type of bleach has sulfur dioxide as the active ingredient, the bleaching action of which is accomplished through the chemical decomposition of oxo sulfur anions.
Sodium dithionite, also known as sodium hydrosulfite, is the most common and important example of sulfur dioxide-based bleaches. This bleach product is produced by the reaction of sodium bisulfite with zinc. Each category of bleach is composed of distinct chemicals, and these are what determines its chemical formula, as well as how different bleach products work chemically.
Here are some examples of various bleach products to show how the chemical formulas can change:. Now for the real question of how does bleach work chemically.
The chemical makeup of bleach can be determined by looking at its action. Chemically, all types of bleach act as proton acceptors — this is why bleach is called nucleophilic, i. Since chlorine bleach is a strong oxidizing agent, it's hazardous if not used properly. You should never mix chlorine bleach with any other household product, because it can react to form very hazardous substances.
For example, mixing chlorine bleach with ammonia or vinegar can release poisonous chlorine gas. Cleaning and disinfecting products that aren't called "bleach" may also contain sodium hypochlorite as one of their active ingredients, so you should always read the label before using a cleaning product. If you are using bleach to disinfect household surfaces, make sure the area is well ventilated and do not inhale any fumes.
Fumes from chlorine bleach can cause coughing, sore throat and airway irritation, and it can also irritate the eyes. Keep chlorine bleach from coming into contact with your skin, since it can cause redness and irritation, especially after repeated exposures. If bleach gets in your eyes , rinse them immediately and call your doctor. Ingestion of chlorine bleach can be very dangerous, especially to children. If you or your child accidentally swallow bleach, don't induce vomiting, and call the Poison Control Center immediately at [source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ].
When using chlorine bleach for laundry or cleaning, you should dilute it. Certain fabrics, such as mohair, wool, silk and Spandex will be damaged by chlorine bleach, so always read the clothing label before bleaching. For colored garments, you can use a "bleachability test" on a non-visible, colored part of the garment.
Wait one minute, blot with a towel and check for any color change. For disinfecting clothes, pre-soaking with chlorine bleach and washing in hot water with chlorine bleach is effective, but washing with non-chlorine bleach is not adequate, because active ingredients like hydrogen peroxide aren't powerful enough to disinfect laundry.
For disinfecting dishes or hard surfaces, use a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach mixed with one gallon of water [source: The Clorox Company ]. The Environmental Protection Agency EPA has evaluated multiple scientific studies on the effects of chlorinated drinking water, and the organization's found no evidence of risk for cancer , reproductive problems or birth defects [source: Environmental Protection Agency ]. The European Commission EC also determined that the most common sources of exposure to chlorine bleach is through skin contact when using bleach for cleaning at home or through ingestion of chlorinated drinking water.
Swallowing small amounts of swimming pool water may also be a risk, but there is no significant indirect exposure through the environment. According to the Centers for Disease Control's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, when sodium hypochlorite is released into the air, it's broken down by sunlight and natural substances in the environment. Sodium hypochlorite does not accumulate in the food chain like some substances do, such as mercury.
When sodium hypochlorite gets into water or soil, it breaks down into the ions sodium, calcium, and hypochlorite; these ions can potentially react with other substances in water, but the possible effects are not known [source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ].
In other health issues, bleach may help out. A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics found some improvement in children's eczema after bathing them with a diluted bleach solution; because all of the children in the study also had signs of a secondary bacterial skin infection, however, it's difficult to say whether the bleach helped the eczema or simply killed the infection and helped the skin to heal [source: Huang ].
When it's used properly, chlorine bleach can make your kitchen cleaner and your white clothes whiter. To learn more about bleach, see the links on the next page. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Bath and Laundry. How Bleach Works.
Chlorine Bleach for Laundry Chlorine bleach contains the active ingredient sodium hypochlorite NaOCl , while non-chlorine bleaches have different active ingredients for different purposes.
Chlorine Bleach as a Disinfectant " ". Bleach can disinfect countertop surfaces and protect from a variety of bacteria. Proper Use of Chlorine Bleach " ".
When used improperly, bleach can be an extremely harmful substance.
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