Bases and acids, at certain concentrations, are common cleaning agents.

These cleaning

agents are generally effective on their own with proper usage. Unfortunately, cases of misuse and

mishandling are prevalent [ CITATION OHS12 \l 1033 ]. Among the notable reasons are the lack of

safety training and safety information oversight such as not reading the labels thoroughly.

Bleach and vinegar, for instance, could be present side by side in many household

cupboards. Clorox® bleach is an oxidizing agent with up to 5% sodium hypochlorite and 1.5%

sodium hydroxide by weight [ CITATION The17 \l 1033 ]. Columbus Chemical’s cleaning vinegar is

up to 10% acetic acid which is organic [ CITATION Ast17 \l 1033 ]. Both products require sealed

containers in cool, dry, well-ventilated places to prevent vapor buildup and contamination. To

contain spillages of either product; eye, skin, and respiratory protection are required for personal

safety. Isolation of disposed waste products should be practiced. Per safety data sheets and the

US Environmental Protection Agency (1980), EPA, both bleach and organic acids are considered

mutually incompatible as the reaction is exothermic and evolve toxic chlorine gas. Chance

mixing in very large quantities could produce enough gaseous chlorine to cause suffocation and

react violently with ammonia-based chemicals in the area [ CITATION Cen13 \l 1033 ]. Prolonged

exposure to chlorine gas, perhaps from intentionally combining bleach and acid while home

cleaning under poor ventilation, could lead to chronic respiratory problems[ CITATION Cen13 \l

1033 ].

The US EPA compatibility chart and safety data sheets together provide extensive

information on the properties, usage, storage, and disposal of chemicals. Personally, knowing

chemical compatibility will greatly affect many of my purchasing choices, cleaning practices

(perhaps there is indeed danger in being too clean), and process waste management in the future.

Works Cited
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention. Retrieved August 22, 2017, from Emergency Preparedness and Response:

Chlorine: https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/chlorine/basics/facts.asp

Columbus Chemical Industries. (2017). Material Safety Data Sheet. Retrieved August 22, 2017,

from http://www.columbuschemical.com:

http://www.columbuschemical.com/MSDS/SDS/Vinegar%209931.pdf

Occupational Health and Safety Administration. (2012). Publications. Retrieved August 22,

2017, from Occupational Health and Safety Administration:

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3512.pdf

The Clorox Company. (2017). Safety Data Sheets. Retrieved August 22, 2017, from

https://www.thecloroxcompany.com: https://www.thecloroxcompany.com/wp-

content/uploads/cloroxultimatecarepremiumbleachjw.pdf

US Environment Protection Agency. (2017). A Method of Determining Compatibility of

Hazardous Wastes. Retrieved August 22, 2017, from United States Environment

Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-

03/documents/compat-haz-waste.pdf