This woman created a deadly gas in her own home—find out how to avoid this potentially fatal mistake!
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In a harrowing incident that serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in our cupboards, a woman nearly poisoned herself with a toxic gas she accidentally created during a routine clean-up.
A woman was determined to reclaim her $2,000 deposit without resorting to a professional cleaning service.
In her bid to save the estimated $400 fee, she took matters into her own hands—and ended up with quite a story to tell about do-it-yourself cleaning.
While scrubbing away at a radiator, she combined bleach and malt vinegar to tackle the stubborn stains.
To her horror, the cleaning pads turned a bright orange, and a pungent smell began to fill the air.
She said, ‘I knew I’d f***ked up because I was starting to smell fumes and wondered why the colour had appeared.’
Realising something was amiss, she quickly turned to the internet for answers and discovered she had created chlorine gas, a substance that can be deadly if inhaled.
As Healthline reports, chlorine gas can be a byproduct of mixing bleach, a base, with an acid, such as vinegar.
This combination triggers a chemical reaction that releases chlorine gas into the air.
The gas is a potent irritant that can affect the eyes, throat, and lungs, leading to severe respiratory issues or even death in high concentrations.
The woman’s quick thinking led her to evacuate the area, open windows to ventilate her flat, and seek immediate medical attention.
She said, ‘At this point, my throat was burning, so I was glad I’d decided to be safe rather than sorry.’
Despite the late hour, around 11 pm, she rushed to the hospital, where she faced a six-hour wait.
A toxicologist on the scene emphasised the gravity of the situation, and the woman was eventually seen by medical staff who confirmed she had sustained chemical burns to her throat and required a chest X-ray.
The ordeal was a wake-up call not only for this woman but also for fellow patients in the emergency room, many of whom were unaware of the dangers posed by everyday cleaning products.
The woman said, ‘To pass the time, I ended up chatting to other patients, most of whom said they also had no idea how dangerous bleach and vinegar can be when mixed.’
The incident highlighted a critical gap in public knowledge about the safe use of household chemicals.
To prevent such dangerous accidents, it's essential to understand the risks associated with common cleaning agents.
Bleach, a powerful disinfectant, should never be mixed with any acid, including vinegar, or other household cleaners, especially those containing ammonia, as this can produce toxic gases.
Here are some safety tips to remember when using cleaning products:
1. Always read and follow the instructions on product labels.
2. Exercise caution when mixing different cleaning agents, as they may contain incompatible chemicals.
3. Ensure proper ventilation when using strong chemicals to avoid inhaling fumes.
4. Wear protective gear, such as gloves and masks, when handling potent cleaners.
5. Store cleaning products in their original containers and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
6. If you're unsure about the safety of combining products, err on the side of caution and use them separately.
This story had a silver lining—she got her deposit back and learned a valuable lesson in the process.
She successfully removed the remaining stain on her radiator with nail polish remover, a tip she found on an online forum.
Her cat, fortunately, was unharmed, having been safely tucked away during the incident.
Dr Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, MBChB, a dermatologist, advises anyone exposed to chlorine gas to immediately move to fresh air and use water or cold milk to alleviate the effects of chemical burns.
We urge our members to take household chemical safety seriously. The use of chemicals could not only be harmful to you, but also to your pets. Are you endangering your pets with this everyday cleaning habit?
Have all these chemicals got you worried? Our member @Babybird shares advice on how to make your own natural cleaners without chemicals!
Have you ever had a close call with cleaning products? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below to help others avoid similar mistakes.
A woman was determined to reclaim her $2,000 deposit without resorting to a professional cleaning service.
In her bid to save the estimated $400 fee, she took matters into her own hands—and ended up with quite a story to tell about do-it-yourself cleaning.
While scrubbing away at a radiator, she combined bleach and malt vinegar to tackle the stubborn stains.
To her horror, the cleaning pads turned a bright orange, and a pungent smell began to fill the air.
She said, ‘I knew I’d f***ked up because I was starting to smell fumes and wondered why the colour had appeared.’
Realising something was amiss, she quickly turned to the internet for answers and discovered she had created chlorine gas, a substance that can be deadly if inhaled.
Exposure to high levels causes of chlorine gas may cause dyspnea, violent cough, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, headache, chest pain, abdominal discomfort, and corneal burns. Image Source: Shutterstock / marekuliasz
As Healthline reports, chlorine gas can be a byproduct of mixing bleach, a base, with an acid, such as vinegar.
This combination triggers a chemical reaction that releases chlorine gas into the air.
The gas is a potent irritant that can affect the eyes, throat, and lungs, leading to severe respiratory issues or even death in high concentrations.
The woman’s quick thinking led her to evacuate the area, open windows to ventilate her flat, and seek immediate medical attention.
She said, ‘At this point, my throat was burning, so I was glad I’d decided to be safe rather than sorry.’
Despite the late hour, around 11 pm, she rushed to the hospital, where she faced a six-hour wait.
A toxicologist on the scene emphasised the gravity of the situation, and the woman was eventually seen by medical staff who confirmed she had sustained chemical burns to her throat and required a chest X-ray.
The ordeal was a wake-up call not only for this woman but also for fellow patients in the emergency room, many of whom were unaware of the dangers posed by everyday cleaning products.
The woman said, ‘To pass the time, I ended up chatting to other patients, most of whom said they also had no idea how dangerous bleach and vinegar can be when mixed.’
The incident highlighted a critical gap in public knowledge about the safe use of household chemicals.
To prevent such dangerous accidents, it's essential to understand the risks associated with common cleaning agents.
Bleach, a powerful disinfectant, should never be mixed with any acid, including vinegar, or other household cleaners, especially those containing ammonia, as this can produce toxic gases.
Here are some safety tips to remember when using cleaning products:
1. Always read and follow the instructions on product labels.
2. Exercise caution when mixing different cleaning agents, as they may contain incompatible chemicals.
3. Ensure proper ventilation when using strong chemicals to avoid inhaling fumes.
4. Wear protective gear, such as gloves and masks, when handling potent cleaners.
5. Store cleaning products in their original containers and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
6. If you're unsure about the safety of combining products, err on the side of caution and use them separately.
This story had a silver lining—she got her deposit back and learned a valuable lesson in the process.
She successfully removed the remaining stain on her radiator with nail polish remover, a tip she found on an online forum.
Her cat, fortunately, was unharmed, having been safely tucked away during the incident.
We urge our members to take household chemical safety seriously. The use of chemicals could not only be harmful to you, but also to your pets. Are you endangering your pets with this everyday cleaning habit?
Have all these chemicals got you worried? Our member @Babybird shares advice on how to make your own natural cleaners without chemicals!
Have you ever had a close call with cleaning products? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below to help others avoid similar mistakes.
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