Ecological Footprint of Bleach

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Ecological Footprint

Household Bleach

Kristen Meidt

March 3, 2011

ABSTRACT: Household bleach was evaluated in depth at each phase of its resource stream. Human

health risks and environmental impacts were assessed for the extraction of raw materials,

manufacturing and production, distribution, domestic use and disposal. The purpose of the Ecological

Footprint paper is to understand the environmental impacts associated with an everyday product such

as bleach and the common activity of cleaning.


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TITLE PAGE

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................3

Extraction of Sodium Chloride ..........................................................................................................3-4

Manufacturing and Production ..........................................................................................................4-6

Distribution ........................................................................................................................................6

Household Usage ...............................................................................................................................7-8

Disposal..............................................................................................................................................8-9

Conclusion .........................................................................................................................................9-10

Appendix ............................................................................................................................................11

Bibliography ......................................................................................................................................12-14


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INTRODUCTION

Since the discovery of chlorine in the late 1700s, household bleach has become an

important cleaning commodity around the world. The active ingredient in chlorine bleach is

sodium hypochlorite. It is a powerful agent for denaturing microbial proteins and is therefore an

effective disinfectant against bacteria and viruses. Household bleach is an important product for

cleaning and preventing disease control, but its environmental impacts are evident throughout its

resource stream. The ecological footprint of household chlorine bleach was assessed to

determine the environmental impacts at each stage. An in depth evaluation of sodium

hypochlorite reveals significant implications for human and environmental health, from the

extraction of raw materials to the disposal of bleach down the drain.

EXTRACTION OF SODIUM CHLORIDE

The resource stream of sodium hypochlorite begins with the extraction of sodium

chloride, commonly referred to as halite or rock salt. Rock salt exists in underground deposits

that were formed from the precipitation of salts as ancient waters evaporated. Areas in the

United States with commercially significant salt mines are Avery Island in Louisiana and

Detroit, Michigan (World Lingo Translations, 2011). Sodium chloride is extracted using room

and pillar or solution mining techniques (Salt Manufacturers Association).

Room and pillar mining is a method of underground mining that excavates caverns of

rock and leaves a system of pillars or columns in place to prevent the risk of subsidence

(Squillace, 2009). Solution mining involves pumping water into a bore hole to create a brine

solution that is then pumped out. The amount of freshwater needed for solution mining must be

exorbitant. The environmental impacts of mining are far reaching and include land subsidence-


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with associated damages to the land surface, erosion, pollution of waterways, acid mine drainage

and leaching of toxic metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury (Withgott and Brennan 2008).

Mining negatively impacts the local ecology by physically destroying habitats and exposing flora

and fauna species to a wide array of pollutants.

MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION

Sodium chloride is necessary to generate the sodium hydroxide, referred to as caustic

soda, and chlorine needed to produce sodium hypochlorite. Chlorine and caustic soda producers

are referred to as the chlor-alkali industry and are of the largest electrochemical technologies in

the world (Bommaraju, Orosz, & Sokol, 2001). In 2006, the electrolytic process consumed 2400

billion kWh to produce 59 million metric tons of chlorine and caustic soda (Bommaraju, Orosz,

& Sokol, 2001). The consumption of 2400 billion kWh hours of electricity produces 5520 billion

pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

To manufacture bleach, the extracted rock salt is first removed of impurities and broken

down at a chemical plant by electrolysis to form end products that can be used for the production

of sodium hypochlorite. The sodium chloride is first dissolved in an aqueous solution to

disassociate the sodium and chloride ions (Advameg, Inc. , 2011). When the ions are dissolved in

water, the electrolytic process is used to create sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda,

and chlorine (Bommaraju, Orosz, & Sokol, 2001). An electrolytic cell passes an electric current

through the solution and creates an oxidation-reduction reaction. Chlorine is formed by oxidation

at the anode and sodium hydroxide is reduced at the cathode (Bommaraju, Orosz, & Sokol,

2001).


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There are three main types of electrolytic cells used to produce chlorine and caustic soda.

84% of the total amount of chlorine produced in the world in 2006 was by diaphragm and

membrane cells and 13% was produced using mercury cells (Bommaraju, Orosz, & Sokol,

2001). In the 1970s, the most commonly used cells were mercury and diaphragm cells

(Committee on Biologic Effects of Environmental Pollutants, 1976).

Mercury cells have since been partially phased out due to the release of mercury

emissions into the air and waste waters (Noyes, 1993). Mercury causes neurological damage in

humans and air pollutants containing mercury deposit into water bodies (United States

Environmental Protection Agency, 2010). In water, mercury is transformed into methyl mercury

where it bioaccumulates and biomagnifies in animal tissues and has toxic effects on organisms

(United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2010). In 2007, the emission standards have

been reduced to 1.0g Hg per tonne of Hg cell chlorine capacity from a maximum of

1.9g/year/tonne of chlorine (Bommaraju, Orosz, & Sokol, 2001).

Diaphragm cells use asbestos as a separator which may be discharged in the waste stream

of the power plant (Noyes, 1993). In 2007, the chlor-alkali industry was exempt from the

banning of asbestos (Bommaraju, Orosz, & Sokol, 2001). Mercury and diaphragm cells each use

large quantities of water, but diaphragms use nearly four times the amount of water that is used

for mercury cells (Noyes, 1993). The chlorine manufacturing plants that use the electrolytic cells

also produce air pollution such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide and chlorine dioxide (Noyes,

1993).

After chlorine is produced it undergoes a liquefaction process that can potentially emit

significant quantities of gaseous chlorine (Committee on Biologic Effects of Environmental


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HOUSEHOLD USAGE

Chlorine bleach is one of the most common household cleaning products used today. It is

used around the world for disinfecting surfaces as it destroys pathogens such as bacteria and

viruses. The total amount of household and institutional bleach sold in the United States in 2005

amounted to 553 million gallons (Zoller & Sosis, 2009). Although the cleaning power of bleach

is extensive, there are serious health risks associated with its use.

Household bleach can have adverse health effects if ingested and if it is mixed with

acidic cleaners (Bates, 2007). Ingestion can cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, damage

to the esophagus, stomach corrosion, electrolyte disturbance of the body due to increased acid

levels, and aspiration (Bates, 2007). If bleach is used in combination with an acid based cleaner,

such as an ammonia product, chlorine gas is produced. Inhalation of chlorine gas can result in

respiratory issues, pulmonary edema, chemical pneumonitis, and possible death in extreme cases

(Bates, 2007).

In a 2008 study of household cleaning products containing chlorine bleach, Odabasi

discovered that sodium hypochlorite can produce halogenated volatile organic compounds

(VOCs) when mixed with soap or surfactants. Chloroform and carbon tetrachloride are among

the fifteen volatile organic compounds that may possibly be formed by the reaction of household

bleach and other cleaning products (Odabasi, 2008). The EPA claims that carbon tetrachloride is

a probable carcinogen in humans and primarily affects the central nervous system, liver and

kidneys (2000). Odabasi states that carbon tetrachloride is also a powerful greenhouse gas that

was banned for household use by the U.S. Food and Drug administration (2008). Carbon

tetrachloride also contributes to ozone depletion and during 1992; 28 tons were emitted from the

storage of household bleach (Cahn, 1994). Storage of household sodium hypochlorite also


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released 12 tons of chloroform (Cahn, 1994). Chloroform is identified by the EPA as a probable

carcinogen as it is carcinogenic to animals (EPA, 2000). It also affects central nervous system

and liver functions in humans (EPA, 2000).

DISPOSAL

The Clorox Company claims that their bleach products have a completely sustainable

cycle and publicly state that 95 percent to 98 percent of household bleach rapidly breaks down

into salt and water. The remaining by-products are largely removed through the wastewater

treatment process of most cities and water districts. No dioxins are formed. No by-products with

the ability to build up over time in organisms are formed. At the end of the cycle, household

bleach has returned to the salt from which it was originally produced in a sustainable cycle.

(The Clorox Company, 1998-2006).

The remaining two to five percent of sodium hypochlorite from household use that is not

immediately broken down into salt and water amounts to 11.06 to 29.65 million gallons, based

on the total production of bleach in the United States. Although it may be improbable for

household bleach to reach waterways after passing through wastewater treatment facilities,

people may improperly dispose of bleach solutions outside. A 0.01 mg/L concentration of

sodium hypochlorite can be extremely toxic to aquatic life (Cahn, 1994).

An important example of the byproducts produced by the disposal of sodium

hypochlorite is organochlorines. Organochlorines, such as dioxin, are formed in the environment

when the chlorine in bleach reacts with naturally occurring compounds (Labour Environmental

Society , 2005). Dioxin is a highly toxic chemical compound that does not easily break down. It

is carcinogenic, bioaccumulative and can cause developmental disorders, as well as


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neurological, immune system and reproductive issues (eHow Inc., 1999-2011). The molecular

strength of dioxin causes it to be a persistent toxin that travels throughout all areas of the

environment.

Dioxin is most commonly associated with the bleaching process in paper and pulp mills,

but can also form due to the disposal of household bleach products. Although the Clorox

Company states that chlorine bleach is a complete cycle with no formation of byproducts, they

understate the possibility of harmful toxins to form in the environment.

CONCLUSION

Household bleach creates many environmental issues at every stage of its resource

stream. Mining and extraction of sodium chloride can result in degraded landscapes and

environmental damage. The physical destruction of land and the transportation of exposed

chemicals into hydrologic systems highly impact ecology. Electrolysis of sodium chloride and

chlorine is an energy intensive process that releases a myriad of pollutants. Sodium hypochlorite,

or household bleach, travels far distances across the United States and results in large quantities

of carbon emissions. Bleach is also a hazardous product due to its reactivity with other cleaners

and should not be used as an everyday cleaning product. Finally, disposed of sodium

hypochlorite has the capability of forming highly toxic and persistent chemicals in the

environment, such as dioxin.

Some of environmental impacts of cleaning with bleach have been examined in this

paper. Although bleach is an important cleaning product for the disinfection of surfaces and

prevention of disease control, its use is not necessary for regular cleaning. There are many


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effective methods of cleaning with natural ingredients or naturally derived cleansers that have do

not have the dramatic ecological footprint of household bleach.


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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Advameg, Inc. . (2011). How Bleach is Made. Retrieved march 3, 2011, from How Products areMade: http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Bleach.html

American Chemistry Council, Inc. (2005-2010). Chlorine Production FAQs. Retrieved march 3,2011, from american chemistry:

http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_chlorine/sec_content.asp?CID=2183&DID=9226&CTYPEI

D=109

Bates, N. (2007, March). Poisoning with household cleaners. color photograph , p. 4.

Bommaraju, T. V., Orosz, P. J., & Sokol, E. A. (2001). Brine Electrolysis. Retrieved march 3, 2011,from Electrochemistry Encyclopedia: http://electrochem.cwru.edu/encycl/art-b01-brine.htm

Cahn, A. (1994). Proceedings of the 3rd World Conference on Detergents: Global Perspectives.Montreux: AOCS press.

Carbonfund.org. (2011). Carbon calculators. Retrieved march 3, 2011, fromhttp://www.carbonfund.org/site/pages/individuals/individual_business_carbon_offsets

CDAIC. (n.d.). Frequently Asked Global Change Questions. Retrieved march 3, 2011, from CarbonDioxide Information Analysis Center: http://cdiac.ornl.gov/pns/faq.html

Committee on Biologic Effects of Environmental Pollutants. (1976). Chlorine and HydrogenChloride. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences.

eHow Inc. (1999-2011). Effects of Chlorine Bleach on Aquatic Life. Retrieved march 3, 2011, fromeHow: http://www.ehow.com/list_6531968_effects-chlorine-bleach-aquatic-life.html


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Electrolytic Cells. (n.d.). Retrieved march 3, 2011, from Bodner Research Web:http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch20/faraday.php

Labour Environmental Society . (2005). Toxins in Household Products. Retrieved march 3, 2011,from Labour Environmental Society : http://www.leas.ca/toxins-in-household-products.htm

Noyes, R. (1993). Pollution prevention technology handbook. Park Ridge: Noyes Publications.

Odabasi, M. (2008). Halogenated Volatile Organic Compounds from the Use of Chlorine-Bleach-Containing Household Products. Environmental Science & Technology, 1445-1451.

Salt Manufacturers Association. (n.d.). environmental impact of salt manufacture and supply.Retrieved march 3, 2011, from Salt Association: http://www.saltsense.co.uk/aboutsalt-

env01.php

Squillace, M. (2009). Chapter 2: The Environmental Effects of Strip Mining. Retrieved march 3,2011, from The Strip Mining Handbook:

http://sites.google.com/site/stripmininghandbook/chapter-2-1

The Clorox Company. (1998-2011). Careers. Retrieved march 3, 2011, from The Clorox Company:http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/careers/careerareas.html

The Clorox Company. (1998-2006). Clorox bleach: salt of the earth. Retrieved march 3, 2011,from the clorox company:

http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/community/ourprodspgs/bleach_salt.html

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2010). Fate and Transport and EcologicalEffects of Mercury. Retrieved march 3, 2011, from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

http://www.epa.gov/hg/eco.htm


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Withgott, J., & Brennan, S. (2008). Environment The Science Behing the Story. San Francisco:Pearson Education, Inc.

World Lingo Translations. (2011). Sodium Chloride. Retrieved march 3, 2011, from World Lingo:http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/Sodium_chloride

Zoller, U., & Sosis, P. (2009). Handbook of detergents: production. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

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