Thank you for sending me the article about the workers who were injured at the IHOP restaurant from the fumes caused by mixing bleach and an acidic cleaning compound. It is the position of Nyco Products Company and other reputable chemical manufacturing
companies to NEVER mix different cleaning products together, especially bleach or products containing chlorine.
Bleach is a dangerous products that is corrosive to skin, mucous membranes and can cause severe
injury to eyes. Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is chlorine gas in water. Highly unstable by nature,
bleach releases chlorine gas fumes which will attack / damage a variety of surfaces. Exposure to bleach fumes is also considered to be a trigger for asthmatic attacks and use in schools, office buildings and most commercial establishments is discouraged.
Bleach is also known as an oxidizer – or compound that releases oxygen/gas. When mixed with other compounds, the sodium hypochlorite combines with other chemical compounds and can produce violent reactions including the release of dangerous gases such as what occurred in the IHOP restaurant when bleach and phosphoric acid were mixed. Mixing bleach with any cleaning compound is NEVER recommended and should be discouraged at all times.
Three (3) compounds should NEVER be mixed with any other product are:
- Bleach
- Ammonia
- Acids (including vinegar)
These compounds are oxidizers and will produce gases when mixed with other cleaning compounds. If any of the three (bleach, acid, ammonia) are mixed together DANGEROUS, POTENTIALLY LETHAL fumes will be produced.
The literature is full of examples of hazardous situations occurring when cleaning compounds have been mixed together. They include:
- The death of homeowner in Chicago who was overcome with fumes
from mixing bleach and acid in his kitchen sink to unclog a drain The explosion and injury to staff and hospitalization of staff/guests at a resort in Wisconsin when bleach and acid were accidentally mixed in the laundry.
Stratus brand of cleaning products are bleach free and certified by Green Seal for safety and effectiveness. Although they are not corrosive and considered to be safe, it remains our 
position that:
Cleaning products should not be mixed with other cleaning products.
Before using all users should read the container labels and become familiar with the directions for safe use.
- Read and understand the Material Safety Data Sheet including first aid and instructions for proper storage.
Information provided by John Wunderlich, I.C.E. at Nyco Products Company
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