Do you know that it is in truth a registered pesticide? PESTICIDE! That means a chemical or biological agent intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate plant or animal life and any substance intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant, including insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, herbicides, nematocides, and biocides; “pesticide” does not include a new animal drug, as defined in 21 U.S.C. 321
How many people (maybe even YOU) use it in their homes on a regular basis? With out even knowing what the proper handling procedures are for this dangerous chemical.
According to Department of Heath & Family Services in Wisconsin, it is recommended that for levels in the air be no higher than 0.01 parts per million. Most people can smell chlorine when levels reach 0.02-3.4 ppm. If you can smell chlorine in your home, the level may be too high to be safe. Now spend just a moment and think about how you smell chlorine bleach when it is being used.
Why do people use it?? Well it is hard to know, once you learn what it can and cannot do. While a chlorine solution CAN kill Staph and E. Coli, it does not kill bacteria spores and is only partially effective in fungi, viruses and Candida. In fact, according to OSHA’s Mold Remediation/ Clean Up Methods guidelines, bleach itself is 99% water. Water is one of the main contributors of the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. Current situations using bleach re-grew and regenerated mold and bacteria twice the CFU (colony-forming unit a biology term,) counts than were originally found before bleaching, within a short period of time. It can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, chest pain, and vomiting, coughing, and excess fluid in the lungs.
(Think about those that are especially vulnerable to chlorine bleach, they young, elderly, those with health concerns including respiratory issues and anyone that is exposed to too much or for too long; that includes repetitive uses.)
In addition, if you dilute it and use it to clean up surfaces or food, the proper protocol is to go back and use fresh water, to wash off all of the remaining pesticide. Sadly, many people choose to use it in their homes, and not rinse it off. MOREOVER, in many daycares, schools, preschools, and even senior centers (just to name a few) the “proper procedure” is to mix up some bleach water and spray it and let it dry…
Chlorine bleach’s effectiveness is diminished significantly, as the bleach sits in warehouses, on grocery store shelves or inside your home or business 50% loss in killing power in just the first 90 days inside a never opened jug or container. Chlorine constantly escapes through the plastic walls of its containers. That means that even if you have a closed plastic jug sitting in your home, waiting to be used it is STILL affecting not only the air quality of your home but also your health.
Of course, by now everyone knows you cannot mix it with ammonia or urine and MANY other chemicals, with out creating a dangerous chemical reaction. So again, why would anyone buy it?
Wherever you choose to shop, please buy products that are safer for you and your family.
