Context:

• Recently, in various places, migrant workers who returned from Delhi were showered with a disinfectant, apparently to sanitise them. The chemical in the spray was a sodium Hypochlorite Solution.

Sodium Hypochlorite and its Uses:

• Sodium hypochlorite is commonly used as a bleaching agent, and also to sanitise Swimming Pools.
• As a common bleaching agent, sodium hypochlorite is used for a variety of cleaning and disinfecting purposes.
• A normal household bleach usually is a 2-10% sodium hypochlorite solution.
• At a much lower 0.25-0.5%, this chemical is used to treat skin wounds like cuts or scrapes.
• An even weaker solution (0.05%) is sometimes used as a handwash.
• It releases chlorine, which is a popularly used disinfectant.
• However, large quantities of chlorine can also be Harmful.

Is the Chemical Safe?

• Sodium hypochlorite is corrosive and is meant largely to clean hard surfaces.
• It is not recommended to be used on human beings, certainly not as a spray or shower. Even a 0.05% solution could be very harmful for the eyes.
• A 1% solution can cause damage to the skin of anyone who comes in contact with it.
• It can cause itching or burning and is not approved to be used on humans
• If it gets inside the body, it can cause serious harm to Lungs.

Does the Chemical get rid of the Novel Coronavirus?

• The WHO recommends homemade bleach solutions of about 2-10% concentration to clean hard surfaces to clear them of any presence of the novel coronavirus.
• Cleaning hard surfaces with this solution can disinfect them not just from novel coronavirus but also help prevent flu, food borne illnesses, and more.

A Cause for Concern:

• In Delhi, officials have reported that a 1% sodium hypochlorite solution was used in the spray applied on migrant workers’ belongings.
• The concentration in other places, including those used on buildings or vehicles, is not very clear.
• The solution should always be used in a well-ventilated area, while wearing gloves and protective equipment.
• These instances of spraying sodium hypochlorite on migrants, could be harmful to them, particularly, the children.