How Cleaning and Desinfecting Leads to Increase in Poisoning Cases in America

Last month, the CDC had surveyed Americans about cleaning behaviors and know-how related to coronavirus prevention, and the results may shock you.

The agency released their findings from a survey taken by over 500 participants, a sample that represented the U.S. population by gender, age, region, race/ethnicity, and education. The study was done, in part, to asses the cause of an increase in calls to poison centers, and participants were asked questions about "general knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to use of household cleaners and disinfectants," the report states.

The biggest finding was that 39 percent of people reported using common household cleaners, like bleach, in non-recommended ways that are actually really harmful to their health.

Majority reported an increased frequency of cleaning at home, which is great, but some of the cleaning behaviors reported are ill-advised and downright dangerous. These include applying bleach and other household disinfectants to hands (reported by 18%) and body (10%), inhaling their vapors (6%), and downright gargling or drinking solutions with bleach (4%). Yikes!

Another shocking finding showed that 19% of those surveyed said that they have also applied bleach on their food, which CDC warns is extremely harmful to your health.

Bleach is extremely harmful if used incorrectly

Bleach is a chlorine-based corrosive substance. Chlorine is a chemical element that can be found as a liquid, gas, or solid, and is present in many household cleaning products. Cleaning your home surfaces with bleach while using the correct protective gear, like gloves and a mask, is a great way to get rid of pesky germs of all stripes. However, CDC warns that applying household...