"It Didn’t Smell at First..." Misusing This Product While Cleaning the Bathroom Sent Her to the Emergency Room [Health Talk]

[Financial News] A single bottle of bleach used for cleaning can quickly release toxic gas, and incidents of people suddenly being taken to the emergency room while cleaning bathrooms are recurring. This has prompted warnings about the dangers of household chlorine-based cleaners.
According to the National Fire Agency (NFA)'s recently released "2025 Domestic Chemical Accident Statistics Analysis," a total of 282 chemical accidents were reported in South Korea last year.
Among them, strongly acidic substances such as nitric acid, hydrogen chloride and sulfuric acid, as well as basic substances such as ammonia and sodium hydroxide, were cited as the materials that caused the most accidents. Poisoning incidents caused by toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide were also frequent.
In data released by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment in February, administrative penalties were imposed on 570 household chemical products that violated safety standards in 2024. Eight of them were cleaning products.
The main ingredient in the chlorine-based cleaners commonly used at home is sodium hypochlorite, which releases chlorine gas when it comes into contact with air.
In particular, chlorine gas often does not have a noticeable smell at the early stage of exposure, so people may realize they have been exposed only after some time. Inhalation can cause chemical burns to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, and depending on the level of exposure, symptoms can range from mild coughing and respiratory irritation to severe pulmonary edema.
The greatest caution is needed when it is used with other cleaning products. The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) warned that mixing acidic cleaners with chlorine-based bleach can generate chlorine gas that is deadly to the human body. A typical accident occurs when toilet cleaner and bleach are poured in at the same time. In a closed bathroom, gas concentration can rise quickly, causing a person to lose consciousness within minutes.
Hot water should also be avoided. Using hot water speeds up the decomposition of bleach, making chlorine-based gas more likely to evaporate. If ventilation is insufficient, respiratory irritation can become even more severe. Experts therefore recommend diluting bleach only in cold water at room temperature.
For prevention, windows and exhaust fans should be used at the same time to create airflow. Using the undiluted product is dangerous, and it should be diluted in water by at least 10 times. If a sore throat, tearing or coughing occurs, stop using it immediately and breathe fresh air outside. If symptoms persist or breathing becomes difficult, call the 119 emergency number or go to the emergency room.
Above all, in homes with young children, the area should be fully ventilated after using cleaning products before letting children back in. It is also best to store cleaners in a cool place away from direct sunlight and separate from other products.
[email protected] Ahn Ga-eul Reporter