BLEACH WHAT IS BLEACH? It is a chemical used to remove or lighten colours. Bleaching uses oxidation to remove/lighten the colour Bleaching may be a preliminary step in dyeing COMMON BLEACH CHEMICALS: – Sodium hypochlorite – Chlorine bleach – Oxygen bleach (which contains hydrogen peroxide or peroxide-releasing compound such as sodium perborate or sodium percarbonate. – Bleaching powder (is calcium hypochlorite TYPES OF BLEACH: – Household bleach Is used in the home to whiten clothes, remove stains, and disinfecting – Chlorine bleach Is used with laundry detergents and is commonly used for disinfecting Hair Bleach Is used to lighten darker hair to a lighter colour – Chlorine Dioxide Is used to bleach wood pulp, fats and oils, cellulose, flour, textiles, beeswax and in a number of other industries – Food Industry Is used for flour bleach and maturing agents ALTERNATIVES DEVELOPED TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF BLEACH: Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Bleach - Colour safe - Non toxic - Biodegradable - Phosphate-free - Safe for septic systems and is not tested on animals - Consists of natural oxygen safe bleach, oxygen bleach stabilizer, deionized water. Ecover Non-Chlorine Bleach No chlorine or optical brighteners - Completely biodegradable - Not tested on animals - Approved by the Vegan Societ - Consists of 100% percarbonate (composed of salt, limestone and oxygenated water) Bi-O-Kleen Oxygen Bleach Plus - No chemical cold-water activators - No optical brighteners - No metasilicates, borax or caustics - Chlorine and Boring free Earth Friendly Oxo Brite Non-Chlorine Bleach - Sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate as ingredients - Free of enzymes, phosphates, chlorine, DEA and petroleum ingredients IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT: – Chlorine is a respiratory irritant It can attack the mucus membranes and will burn the skin – Can be fatal after a few deep breaths – Formation of acrid chloramines fumes when hypochlorite bleach comes into contact with ammonia or urine. It is not as dangerous as chlorine but it can cause severe respiratory distress – Toxic to fish and invertebrates – Can cause cancer to animals and humans – Can contribute to air pollution – Can cause short or long term respiratory irritation upon inhalation – Can contribute to problems with immune system, blood and heart – Chlorine bleach linked to ozone depletion – Can cause developmental/reproductive disorders