What happens to you if you drink bleach
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Effects of Drinking Bleach: Health Risks and Consequences
Introduction to Bleach Ingestion
Drinking bleach, a common household cleaning agent, poses significant health risks. Bleach typically contains sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), which is highly toxic when ingested. This article synthesizes research findings on the effects of bleach ingestion, highlighting the severe metabolic disturbances and potential respiratory complications.
Metabolic Disturbances from Bleach Ingestion
Hypernatraemia and Hyperchloraemic Acidosis
Ingesting bleach can lead to severe metabolic disturbances, including hypernatraemia (elevated sodium levels in the blood) and hyperchloraemic acidosis (an acid-base imbalance). These conditions arise because bleach reacts with hydrochloric acid in the stomach, forming hypochlorous acid and chlorine, which disrupts normal metabolic processes. A case study reported that ingesting 500 ml of strong household bleach, which contains 10% NaOCl, resulted in a significant sodium load of 673 mmol, leading to hypernatraemia.
Respiratory Complications
Airway Edema
Bleach ingestion can also cause severe respiratory issues. A rare but serious case involved a toddler who ingested low-concentration hypochlorite household bleach, leading to severe airway edema. This condition can cause significant respiratory distress and requires immediate medical attention. The literature review on bleach ingestion highlights that even low concentrations can result in severe respiratory sequelae, emphasizing the potential danger of bleach ingestion, especially in children.
Conclusion
Ingesting bleach is extremely hazardous and can lead to severe metabolic and respiratory complications. Hypernatraemia and hyperchloraemic acidosis are common metabolic disturbances, while airway edema represents a critical respiratory risk. Immediate medical intervention is crucial in cases of bleach ingestion to mitigate these severe health risks.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic