Effect of Heating Chlorine Bleach

Chlorine bleach is a chemical that is used for everything from purifying drinking water to cleaning sheets of dirt and grime. Chlorine bleach is a common cleaning agent, however, like many chemicals, chlorine bleach can react unpredictably when exposed to heat.

Composition

Regular chlorine bleach is 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite, while the other 94.75 percent is nothing more than water. Ultra strength chlorine bleach is a 6 percent solution.

Basic Use

Normal levels of heat, such as hot water used in a washing machine, will have no noticeable effect on chlorine bleach, since that's the environment the solution is designed for.

Exposure

When exposed to fire, chlorine bleach will rapidly decompose and produce dangerous, irritating vapors. These vapors are primarily composed of chlorine gas and sodium oxides, which can be deadly.

Reactions

Since chlorine bleach releases oxygen when heated by fire, that oxygen can actually help stoke the flames and make the fire even larger and more dangerous.

Extinguisher

Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers will smother both the effects of fire, and stop the chemical reaction that's happening with chlorine bleach.

References

• About Chlorine Bleach
• Chlorine Bleach FAQ