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Show 7S aoo Gloaninrj Could Go lOICFuQUS TO YOUP llGaltll It's that time of year again when many persons get the urge to begin the yearly ritual of spring cleaning. IN AN effort to get things really clean around the house, some people like to mix various products a practice which could easily create a dangerous situation, according accord-ing to the Intermountain Regional Poison Control Center at the University of Utah- Medical Center. "For example, mixing chlorine-containing bleaches with household ammonia or acid-containing products will produce toxic gases," warns Don L. Bennett, poison information infor-mation specialist. "Mixing some products may save time and effort, but more often such mixtures create hazardous hazar-dous combinations." THE MIXTURE of chlorine bleaches or chlorinated powders and ammonia will produce chloramine gas, Mr. Bennett notes. When these fumes are inhaled, they irritate irri-tate the lungs and respiratory passages and may cause coughing and choking. "If the fumes are concentrated concen-trated or inhaled long enough, the victim will likely develop nausea, dizzinesshortness of breath and tightness of the chest," Mr. Bennett says. "Fortunately, the irritant effects ef-fects are usually recognized immediately and most persons per-sons get fresh air before there is permanent lung damage." A MIXTURE of chlorine bleaches with acid-containing products such as some drain and toilet bowl cleaners is even more dangerous, according ac-cording to the poison specialist. "Chlorine gas is created by the mixture. These fumes cause serious irritation of the lungs and respiratory passages. pas-sages. Symptoms are similar to those associated with chloramine gas inhalation and the chlorine gas can cause severe lung congestion," conges-tion," says Mr. Bennett. PRODUCTS containing carbolic acid (phenol) can al so produce toxic gases, according ac-cording to Mr. Bennett. "Many products have vital information printed on the label. So if you want to mix two cleaning agents together, be sure to read the label. But don't mix bleaches with any other cleaning agent. Call the Poison Control Center if you're not sure," Mr. Bennett reports. THE Intermountain Regional Poison Control Center, which is receiving 10 to 20 calls a week about such problems, can be reached at (801) 581-2151. |
