Can Drink Bleach Cause Permanent Loss of Voice? The Dangers and Cautions

First of all, we need to know its chemical elements to decide whether it is going to cause permanent loss of voice or not. So, bleach active ingredient is Sodium Hypochlorite (NaClO) which contain of Sodium atom, Chloride atom, Oxygen atom. Bleach that we usually met is household bleach that contains only 4,2%.

Although a household bleach contains only 4,2%, drinking it accidentally or not could cause several problems, because besides NaClO bleach also contain other chemical substance such as Sodium Chloride which do the bleaching and disinfectant, Sodium Carbonate which break down grease stain, Sodium Hydroxide works as fats, oil and acid breaker, and there are still a lot more ingredients in it. Here are 10 Harmful Chemicals in Bleach – Compound Formula – Uses – Effects

What would happen if someone drinks bleach?

• Burning Throat

The first thing that would have happen is burning throat. When someone tries to drink it, it will ruin the whole mouth tissues, which will end up having a lot of mouth ulcer.

Then the bleach will flow down to the stomach through esophagus which is throat. It will also destroy all along the esophagus which can cause burning sensation.

• Upset Stomach

From the esophagus the bleach will go to the stomach. It will ruin the stomach tissues, because as you know bleach is pretty corrosive because of its main ingredient, which is Sodium hypochlorite.

Most people at this stage more likely to vomit, but actually vomiting the bleach will cause more problems, because it is the same thing as passing it through the esophagus and mouth for the second time.

• Unconscious

Another thing is, that the odor of bleach itself is also hazardous,especially when it mixed with other chemical that can create a killing gas. Here are the example This Is What Happens When You Mix Ammonia and Bleach; Is It Gonna Explode?

It only needs a short period of time to make someone become dizzy, nausea, and even knock out before they even realize. When someone has already knock out and started to create foam out of its mouth, the chance of death could be higher.

Can bleach cause permanent loss of voice?

Bleach contains Sodium Hypochlorite which is corrosive. There are also many more corrosive household item that you can see at : 26 Noxious Examples of Corrosive Household Chemicals. When, bleach touches a skin, it can be corrosive if not remove immediately on running water.

So, when someone tries to ingest, let’s say a glass of bleach, the first reaction will definitely a burning throat, because the Sodium Hypochlorite will destroys human tissues. While it’s being ingest, it will burn whole mouth area, along the throat and it also could cause damage to your stomach and someone will likely to vomit, although vomiting it isn’t the best idea because it can cause even worse problems.

So, as you can see how hazardous this household item is moreover if it is swallowed. So, will it affect your voice? Mostly when someone drinks bleach, the bleach will go straight to stomach through esophagus.  

It is pretty rare if bleach flows down to larynx, because when the bleach flows to larynx someone will likely to be choked, but if the bleach flow through larynx, the bleach might cause damage to a voice box, but not entirely.  People will more likely to go through breathe and lungs problems.

The conclusion is drink bleach might not cause permanent loss of voice; it may affect someone’s voice but definitely not entirely. Loss of voice might be the least problem, because there are a lot more problems that bleach can cause, such as inhalation problems, burning stomach, internal organs damage, and even death.

First-Aid

So, when you found yourself or anybody whether your close one or even stranger showing the symptoms of drinking bleach. Please call emergency, police, or poison control immediately to at least help reduce the damage. You can also do first aid by giving them a big glass of water or milk to help neutralized the chemical.

That’s all about bleach hazardous effect towards vocal box and loss of voice. You also need to pay attention at Disposal of Household Chemicals Near Me – Hazardous Waste. Hopefully all the information can help.