Inorganic Bleaches Production of Hypochlorite

Many other household products can be analysed in similar ways to those described above for chemicals. Household bleach is essentially an inorganic chemical. There has been concern expressed about mercury levels in hypochlorite bleach because of the way it is manufactured. The cold vapour reduction/aeration method referred to above is a good way of determining low mercury levels with minimal matrix problems [82]. In the past organo-mercurial compounds have been used (e.g. as bactericides) in some household products these may be selectively determined by extraction with an organic solvent (e.g. carbon tetrachloride or benzene), and then application of the cold-vapour method following the addition of cysteine acetate, or by coupled gas chromatography/atomic absorption [83],... 

New inorganic hypochlorite bleaching agents are unlikely to be developed. The relative economics and use patterns of hypochlorites for water treatment, cleaning, and disinfection are also unlikely to change. However, the use of hypochlorites as a safer alternative to transportation and storage of chlorine may increase. In the United States, this may also cause closer affiliation of hypochlorite production with chlorine sources. The competition with point-of-use electrolytic generators will also increase as these become cheaper and more prevalent. 

The next major use is the production of other inorganic chemicals. These include sodium and calcium hypochlorites, which are useful oxidizing agents and find application as bleaches, disinfectants and in sewage treatment. Interestingly, these are made by the reaction of the two main products of sodium chloride electrolysis ... 

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