BLACK : THE HEALTH MAGAZINE vol2 | Page 27

Did You Know? Common Uses for Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleaching Agent) Bleach advocate, Clorax is • It is used extensively as a bleaching agent challenge nay-sayer about the in the textile, detergent and paper and pulp truth about bleach. We have industries. challenged Clorax answers about • Oxidizing agent for Organic products bleach by collecting research done • Refining Petroleum products on the household product. • Disinfectant in water, wastewater treatment and sanitary equipment • Food Processing, Sanitize food preparation equipment, in fruit and vegetable processing, hog, beef and poultry production, maple syrup production and fish processing • Of course, laundry and household cleaning and disinfecting On Your Health says: “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, citing the International Agency for Research on Cancer, concluded that hypochlorite salts, including sodium hypochlorite (bleach), are not cancer-causing.” Resarch shows: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says the main ingredient in bleach is sodium hypochlorite (chlorine added to lye.) Chlorine is toxic as a skin irritant, and by inhalation. Sodium hypochlorite can create poisonous chlorine gas if mixed with ammonia (which may be an unlabeled ingredient in some cleaning products) or with vinegar. Workplace safety data sheets warn that sodium hypochlorite may be a neurotoxin and cause liver damage. According to the American Cancer Society, all cancers start because abnormal cells grow out of control; Cells become cancer cells because of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) damage. SIMPLICITY XXVII