Sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in chlorine bleach, is routinely used in the laboratory to decontaminate surfaces and equipment or deactivate biological materials by inactivating vegetative bacteria, fungi, lipid and non-lipid viruses, and other liquid specimens. If it mixes with incompatible chemicals, it can produce high hazard by-products and toxic gases. Contact sodium hypochloritecan severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes withpossible eye damage. Inhaling sodium Hypochlorite can irritate the nose andthroat. lnhaling Sodium Hypochlorite can irritate the lungs. Higherexposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency. Exposure to sodium hypochlorite can cause headache,diziziness, nausea and vomiting.