Your Guide To Safe Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) Storage
Sodium hypochlorite is a common industrial oxidizing agent that’s used in production plants. Sodium hypochlorite solution is, what we popularly call, bleach. This is a pale, clear liquid that has a distinct pungent smell found in detergents and laundry bleach.
Although this chemical is an essential grocery item, it’s equally (and more) productively used in industrial plants. However, domestic products containing bleach only have about 3 to 8 percent of it because bleach is a contributor to toxic domestic waste.
Even though it offers a wide variety of uses, it’s a challenge to store sodium hypochlorite safely. Here’s more about this chemical and the problem of safe storage.
Uses of Sodium Hypochlorite
In the healthcare industry, sodium hypochlorite is applied as an antiseptic on open wounds that are at risk of festering infections. They’re widely used in surgical procedures to treat dying tissues and disinfecting unclean injuries.
In the commercial arena, water companies use this chemical to process water for safe consumption. This allows them to disinfect any germs and meet hygiene standards for drinking water. It’s also used in the composition of dishwashers and while laundering dirty clothes. This is why shoes and apparel contain a percentage of sodium hypochlorite.
Bleach is also used by food processors to kill bacteria and disinfect surfaces and equipment. It also serves as a biocide in water systems by industrial companies to cut through grime.
Why Is Sodium Hypochlorite Dangerous?
This is a harsh chemical that can cause burns and injuries if it comes in contact with bare skin or eyes. Similarly, the ingestion of bleach or products containing it can result in serious medical consequences. Worst cases of exposure to bleach can even prove fatal, so it’s highly hazardous!
Sodium hypochlorite is a highly reactive compound that can be dangerous in the presence of other chemicals. When added to acids, it can release chlorine gas which is toxic on its own. Chlorine can cause harm to the lungs if inhaled or serious burns to the skin and eyes.
Since it’s an oxidizer, it also produces heat during a reaction and hence is combustible as well. Since fire damage can be severely threatening for life and property, it’s important to store bleach safely and in exclusivity. For the same reason, bleach releases oxygen when enclosed in a container and can build up air pressure, which can result in explosions.
All kinds of atmospheric emissions of sodium hypochlorite are dangerous, especially releasing it in water bodies. It can kill aquatic life and make the environment underwater extremely toxic.
Ways to Store Sodium Hypochlorite
Owing to its reactive nature, it’s important to store sodium hypochlorite separate from incompatible substances and in inert environments. This includes topical products, acidic compounds, reducing agents and other organic materials.
This is why it’s important to store it below 20 degrees Celsius in air-tight containers. Even the slightest fault in maintaining these control factors can cause the compound to produce oxygen, create pressure and lead to spills.
As tricky as it is to store sodium hypochlorite, we have the right solution for it. Our FRP tanks and containers are a perfect container for this hazardous chemical.
Call us at (386) 758-0057 to avail our expert installation or repair of FRP tanks and fiberglass Piping in Lake City. Not only will your plant become increasingly secure but also highly functional and efficient with the help of our FRP containers.
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