Sodium hypochlorite is a chemical compound with the formula NaClO. Sodium hypochlorite solution, commonly known as bleach or chlorox, is frequently used as a disinfectant or a bleaching agent.
Liquid Bleach is a green to yellow colored solution with a mild chlorine odor.
Applications of Sodium Hypochlorite
Sodium Hypochlorite is used on a large scale, in the following areas:
- Agriculture
- Chemical industries
- Paint- and lime industries
- Food industries
- Glass industries
- Paper industries
- Pharmaceutical industries
- Synthetics industries, and
- Waste disposal industries.
In the textile industry sodium hypochlorite is used to bleach textile. It is sometimes added to industrial waste water. This is done to reduce odors. Hypochlorite neutralizes sulphur hydrogen gas (SH) and ammonia (NH3). It is also used to detoxify cyanide baths in metal industries. Hypochlorite can be used to prevent algae and shellfish growth in cooling towers. In water treatment, hypochlorite is used to disinfect water. In households, hypochlorite is used frequently for the purification and disinfection of the house.
SAFETY AND HANDLING
Protective clothing, such as rubber gloves, safety goggles, and rubber safety boots should
be worn to protect from eye and skin contact. Refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet.