Household bleach is well known to be relatively nontoxic
when ingested in small amounts. [1] There are reports of parenteral injection of sodium hypochlorite, but these usually are
inadvertent intramucosal injections into soft tissue during
dental procedures and produce only local edema and pain. [2,3]
There is one report of the IV injection of a small amount
of bleach. [4]
1. Eilers MA, Garrison TE: General management principles, in Rosen P, Barkin RM (eds):
Emergency Medicine Concepts and Clinical Practice, ed 3. St Louis, Mosby-Yearbook
Inc, 1992, p 2472-2473.
2. Decker GL, Cohen S, Borer R: The sequelae of accidentally injecting sodium
hypochlorite beyond the root apex. Oral Surg 1974;38:633-638.
3. Becking AG: Complications in the use of sodium hypochlorite during endodantic treatment. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathoi 1991 ;71:346-348.
4. Froner GA, Rutherford GW, Rokeach M: Injection of sodium hypochlorite by intravenous drug users (letter). JAMA 1987;258:325.
Injection of larger amounts:
5. Marreni M, Menichetti F: Accidental intravenous infusion of sodium hypochlorite (letter). DICP 1991;25:1008.
6. Hay RH: Accidental systemic exposure to sodium hypochlorite (Clorox) during hemodialysis. Am J Hasp Pharm t981;38:1512-1514.
