J Korean Med Assoc.  2023 Feb;66(2):123-129. 10.5124/jkma.2023.66.2.123.

Diagnosis and treatment of sodium hypochlorite poisoning with ingestion of household bleaching agents

• Moon JM
• Chun BJ
• Cho YS

• KMID: 2539908
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2023.66.2.123

Abstract

Background
Sodium hypochlorite is commonly used as a household bleaching agent (for example, the Clorox brand). Sodium hypochlorite poisoning with ingestion of a bleaching agent is often observed in clinical practice.
Current Concepts
Ingestion (intentional or accidental) is the most common route of exposure to household bleaching agents. Accidental ingestion of household bleaching agents is rarely clinically important. However, ingestion of a large amount of a dilute formulation or a high-concentration preparation of bleaching agents can result in severe and rarely fatal corrosive injury. Therefore, prompt supportive care is essential because a specific antidote is currently unavailable. Severe poisoning requires hospital admission. Emergency endoscopy and thoracic and abdominal computed tomography are warranted to aid with diagnosis and management of hypochlorite-induced corrosive injury in patients with severe poisoning, who develop clinical features suggestive of corrosive injury.
Discussion and Conclusion
Intentional poisoning, which accounts for most cases of household bleaching agent poisonings in Korea, is likely to cause severe corrosive injuries. Therefore, it is necessary to gain deeper and accurate understanding of the clinical aspects and treatment of poisoning by household bleaching agents.

Keyword

Sodium hypochlorite; Poisoning; Bleaching agents; 치아염소산나트륨; 중독; 표백제