Bleaching with detergents

Aftertreatment with detergent (2-5 g/1) and sodium carbonate (2-5 g/1) often enhances whiteness and may improve fabric absorbency, particularly if the goods have not been scoured before bleaching. Antichlor treatment is unnecessary for white goods but may be required before coloration. A convenient antichlor treatment involves combining the detergent aftertreatment with sodium perborate, percarbonate or thiosulphate [143]. Traditional reductive antichlors such as sodium bisulphite are not recommended, since their residues can be just as troublesome as chlorite residues. 

Remove all clothing and personal effects and decontaminate with soap and water. Do not use bleach or detergents containing bleach as they may interact with agents to produce toxic decomposition products. 

An example of this kind of work involves the enzyme subtilisin, frequently used as an additive in laundry detergents because it attacks the proteins that soil clothing. The problem, however, is that subtilisin is easily destroyed by bleaches with which a detergent is often used. Research showed that subtilisin is sensitive to bleach because a single amino acid in its primary structure—a methionine at position 22—is destroyed by bleach. By replacing this methionine with an amino acid that is not sensitive to attack by bleach, then, researchers were able to synthesize a new form of subtilisin that did not degrade in the presence of bleach for use in laundry detergents. 

The whiteness of the fabric made of acetate may be improved by treatment with hydrogen peroxide (30%), 1-3 g/1 in presence of sodium silicate, 0.3 g/1. During this treatment the alkalinity of the bath and the required temperature should be carefully maintained. The pH of the bleach bath should not be greater than 9 and treatment for 1 h at 45°C gives combined scour and bleaching with the addition of non-ionic detergent. 

A single stage combined scouring and bleaching of polyester/cotton blended fabric can also be done for economy. There are various approaches which include alkali treatment with detergent and peroxide hot bleach alkali treatment with detergent and sodium chlorite bleach sodium chlorite and peroxide bleach and peroxide cold and peroxide hot bleach. 

Small Areas Ventilation. In heavily contaminated areas, employ vacuum devices equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters to remove as much agent as possible. If necessary, wash with copious amounts of alkaline detergent and water. Do not use bleach or detergents containing bleach as they may interact with agents to produce highly toxic decomposition products. Porous surfaces may be difficult to decontaminate. 

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