ArticleJournal of occupational medicine and toxicology (London, England)2025
Chlorine gas and ultrafine particle emissions from bleach disinfection: exposure risk characterization.
Article in Journal of occupational medicine and toxicology (London, England), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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5 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundChlorine-based disinfectants, such as bleach, are widely used in healthcare settings. However, their use has been linked to occupational respiratory risks. During disinfection, both chlorine gas and ultrafine particles (UFPs) can be generated, yet their exposure dynamics and health impacts remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the emissions of chlorine gas and UFPs during disinfection under varying environmental and surface conditions to better understand exposure dynamics and inform risk mitigation strategies.
methodsControlled experiments were conducted in a sealed chamber to simulate typical healthcare disinfection scenarios. Bleach was tested under different conditions of temperature, light exposure, and in the presence of organic contaminants, including simulated vomit, urine, and blood. Chlorine gas was quantified using electrochemical sensors, while UFP emissions were measured using a condensation particle counter and mobility particle sizers. Additional validation experiments were performed in real-world office settings before and after cleaning.
resultsChlorine gas was primarily emitted when bleach interacted with organic contaminants, particularly acidic substances such as simulated vomit, with an emission factor of 9.4 × 10
conclusionsBleach-based disinfection generates airborne hazards through separate mechanisms: chlorine gas via reactions with organic residues and UFPs through secondary processes influenced by environmental conditions. These findings support enhanced cleaning protocols, improved ventilation, and the need for regulatory attention to UFP exposure in occupational settings.
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