People are doing everything they can to keep their homes clean during the spread of coronavirus, but emergency officials are warning of the danger of mixing some household chemicals.
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The Westmoreland County Hazardous Materials Response Team in Pennsylvania and the Lynn Fire Department in Massachusetts are two of several departments around the country that have posted a list of dangerous combinations of cleaning chemicals on social media.
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Since everyone is in “cleaning mode” we wanted to send a friendly PSA to please play it safe w/ chemicals and mixtures. Most chemicals SHOULD NOT be mixed w/ anything, and if they are it’s plain water to help dilute the solution. pic.twitter.com/KE7QqqhpuY
— City Of Lynn Fire Dept. (@LynnFireDept) March 16, 2020
When it comes to having a clean but safe home, avoid mixing the following:
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- Bleach + vinegar = chlorine gas (This can lead to coughing, breathing problems, burning and watery eyes.)
- Bleach + ammonia = chloramine (This can cause shortness of breath and chest pain.)
- Bleach + rubbing alcohol = chloroform, which is highly toxic
- Hydrogen peroxide + vinegar = peracetic/peroxyacetic acid, which can be highly corrosive
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people should routinely clean frequently touched surfaces, such as tables, doorknobs and faucets.
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With any cleaning product, the instructions on the label should be followed.
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