When Cleaning Turns Dangerous: The Hidden Toll of Disinfectants—and Why Green Solutions Matter

As COVID‑19 swept across the globe, disinfectants became household staples. They became emblematic of safety. Yet in our rush to sanitize, unintended harms - particularly poisonings and respiratory injuries - also surged. Behind closed doors, a hidden crisis began to unfold.

A woman wanting to disinfect her produce, used a mixture of bleach and vinegar to wash them in her sink. The mixture created chlorine gas, causing respiratory distress and landed her in the hospital, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the end, she recovered. In another incident in 2020, a man in Kansas drank some form of cleaning product because of misinformation. It's unclear if he survived. However, in a similar incident there was one fatality.

Believing it to be a potential COVID-19 treatment, Gary Lenius and his wife, Wanda, of Arizona, drank chloroquine phosphate (a chemical used in fish tank cleaner) after mixing it with soda. Wanda Lenius believed it was the same treatment substance discussed by President Donald Trump, though his statements have been repeatedly debunked. Within 30 minutes of drinking the mixture, the couple became dizzy and started vomiting. Subsequently Lenius died and his wife was hospitalized in critical condition,

These cases were just a few of many as an increasing number of people began seeking ways to ward off COVID‑19. In a national survey, 39 percent of U.S. adults admitted to unsafe practices: 19 percent washed food with bleach, 18 percent applied cleaners on bare skin, 10% misted their bodies, 6 percent inhaled vapors, and 4% drank or gargled bleach or soapy water.

People panicked and poison control centers around the world saw an alarming increase in injuries and exposures tied to disinfectants. From chemical inhalation and accidental ingestion to rare injection injuries among workers, the rush to disinfect brought unintended dangers.

For a green cleaning company like Nature Kleen, grounded in non-toxic, eco‑friendly solutions, understanding these risks is more important than ever. Because we believe more than ever that understanding what happened, why it happened, and how to disinfect more safely is essential for public health.

In our quest to protect ourselves, especially during a public health crisis, it’s easy to imagine that more disinfectants equal more safety. Yet, behind the promise of “sanitized” surfaces lies an alarming increase in unintended injuries, poisoning incidents and even fatalities. As traditional disinfectant use surged during the pandemic, so did calls to poison control centers and emergency rooms.

 Alarming Trends—Injuries and Deaths from Disinfectants

• In the U.S., poison control centers received 45,550 exposure calls involving cleaners and disinfectants between January and March 2020 - a 20.4 percent increase over 2019 and 16.4 percent over 2018. Disinfectant exposures alone rose by 16.4 percent.

• For disinfectants specifically, inhalation exposures jumped 108.8 percent from the previous year.

• In April 2020, after misleading remarks suggesting ingestion of disinfectants, disinfectant poisonings spiked 121 percent, while bleach-related poisonings rose 77 percent compared to April 2019.

• In 2021, U.S. poison control centers fielded over 2.08 million human exposure calls—that’s one exposure reported every 15 seconds.

• Other surveys found 39 percent of respondents engaged in high‑risk cleaning behaviors (e.g. using bleach on food, spraying skin or inhaling disinfectants), and 25 percent reported adverse symptoms like eye or respiratory irritation.

• Among U.S. adults with asthma, frequent use of disinfectant wipes, sprays, or bleach strongly correlated with poorer asthma control.

• From January 1 to March 30, 2020, calls about exposure to cleaners and disinfectants made to US poison centers in all states increased 20.4 percent, and the number of calls about exposure to disinfectants increased 16.4 percent. For example, in Michigan, disinfectant-related calls jumped 42.8 percent, while symptomatic calls rose 57.3 percent. Daily exposure calls doubled—from about 5 to 10 per day—after the first local COVID‑19

case was reported.

Young Children Remain Disproportionately Impacted

• Children 5 years old and under accounted for a staggering 46.9 percent of disinfectant exposures and 35.7 percent of overall cleaner-related calls during that same early-2020 window.

• Even in “normal” years, cleaning products remain a leading hazard: in 2018, they represented the second-most common cause of pediatric poison exposures - just behind cosmetics and personal care items.

• Yet despite the high volume of incidents, fatalities remain relatively rare: from 2014–2018, household cleaners and disinfectants accounted for only 3.4% of pediatric poisoning deaths.

 Around the World

• While U.S. surveillance data doesn’t record disinfectant-related fatalities broadly, clinical reports from other countries are harrowing. In China, seven individuals suffered serious chlorine poisoning from disinfectant-acid mixing—requiring hospital stays up to 9 days, although all recovered 

• In Italy, a poison center reported a 5 percent increase in disinfectant exposure calls during early 2020 compared to 2019, with inhalation exposures up 122 percent.

• Canadian poison centers reported up to 400 percent increases in calls involving certain disinfectants during the pandemic’s early months.

And Today 

• Respiratory concerns are increasingly prominent. Numerous studies have linked workplace exposure to cleaning and disinfectant sprays—especially those containing bleach, quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), and ammonia—with higher rates of asthma, rhinitis, and related symptoms among workers in healthcare, custodial and service sectors.

These numbers paint a compelling picture as disinfectant use increase. Whether during public health emergencies or routine cleaning, the risks of unintended harm has risen considerably. Children continue to be most vulnerable, while workers face skin and respiratory hazards. Even when outcomes are nonfatal, the long-term health and economic costs of avoidable exposure can be considerable. In order to avoid these avoidable injuries and deaths, it's important to understand some of the more popular myths surrounding disinfectants.

Section2: Myths vs. Reality—What People Get Wrong About Disinfectants

1. Myth: “More better.”

Reality: Excessive use—or ignoring label directions—doesn’t boost protection. Rather, it increases risk of irritation and toxicity. Also, overuse or improper mixing leads to harmful fumes like chloramines or chlorine gas, causing respiratory distress and skin or eye damage.

2. Myth: Natural means harmless.

Reality: Even “green” cleaners can contain irritants, like some essential oils, that may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation when used improperly.

3. Myth: Children are smart enough to stay away.

Reality: Children under 5 consistently make up around 35–47 percent of disinfectant-related exposures—an enduring hazard, pandemic or not.

4. Myth: Disinfectants can be ingested or inhaled safely.

Reality: Dangerous—mistaken ingestion or inhalation has led to poisoning and unconsciousness, not protection.

5.    Myth: Disinfectants disinfect food or people.

Reality: Disinfecting produce or spraying yourself with bleach or Lysol is unsafe and not recommended.

6.    Myth: Mixing chemicals improves efficacy.

Reality: Combining products like bleach + vinegar or ammonia can generate toxic chlorine gas and cause serious injury—even death.

7.   Myth: If the label doesn’t warn, it’s safe.

Reality: Many disinfectants contain quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) linked to asthma, metabolic disruption, inflammation, and environmental toxicity—even low-dose repeated exposure.

8.  Myth: If disinfectants kill on surfaces, they’re safe inside the body.

Reality: Comments in April 2020 suggesting disinfectant ingestion or injection as COVID‑19 treatment triggered misinformation and led to a surge in calls to poison centers as discussed previously.

The pandemic’s heightened cleaning awareness was warranted, but overuse, misuse, or misunderstanding of disinfectants created significant health risks. Calls to poison centers climbed, many people experienced irritation, and those with asthma often had worsened symptoms. By debunking myths, following labels, limiting over‑disinfecting, and choosing safer methods, we can keep homes clean and safe.

In the next section, we’ll explore safer, eco-friendly approaches that offer effective protection without compromising health or safety. This isn’t about fear; it’s about frank awareness—and discovering safer, greener paths forward.

Section 3: Safe Disinfection—Simple, Effective and Green

• Follow Label Directions, Don’t Mix Chemicals:

Mixing bleach with vinegar or acids can produce toxic gases. Always dilute according to instructions and avoid combining products.

• Prioritize Ventilation and Protective Gear:

Use disinfectants in well-ventilated areas and wear simple protections like gloves and masks to reduce inhalation and skin exposure.

• Embrace Green Alternatives:

Purchase plant-based disinfectants that target pathogens without toxic fumes or harmful residues. Choose ones that offer a safer choice for families and ecosystems. 70–90 percent isopropyl or ethanol works well on many non-porous surfaces.  Also, consider UV‑C devices or vaporized hydrogen peroxide systems in healthcare or institutional settings—but these are not substitutes for manual cleaning.

• Make Safe Storage Nonnegotiable:

Keep all cleaning products out of children’s reach—especially those under 5 who are most vulnerable.

• Always Clean First:

Remove dirt and organic matter using soap or detergent before applying disinfectants.

• Follow Label Contact Time:

usually leave disinfectant wet for 1–10 minutes depending on product before rinsing or wiping.

When to Disinfect — Focus on High‑Touch Areas

Disinfection is advised when surfaces are visibly soiled or high‑touch (e.g. doorknobs, kitchen countertops, bathroom fixtures, electronics and shared items). Routine disinfection of low‑touch or clean floors and walls isn’t necessary and may do more harm than good.

Surfaces to Avoid Overuse or Over‑Applying Disinfectants

• Food preparation surfaces: these surfaces should never be cleaned with strong disinfectants like bleach—not only is it harmful if ingested, but it’s also unnecessary if properly washed with soap and water.

• Porous surfaces (textiles, fabrics, some plastics): these materials can retain chemical residues and degrade, potentially increasing long-term exposure to harmful compounds like QACs or microplastics.

• Skin and clothing: disinfectants are designed for inert surfaces, not human skin. Instead, use plant-based hand soap.

The figures are clear: disinfectant-related injuries and poisonings rose sharply during the pandemic, particularly through inhalation and misuse. However, deaths remain relatively rare when steps are taken to prevent injuries. And that's where the choice of green cleaning shines. With thoughtfully formulated products, such as those offered by Nature Kleen, and safe habits, we can uphold both health and hygiene without trading one for the other.

During the COVID‑19 pandemic, the push to disinfect led to real human costs: emergency room visits, respiratory injuries and serious poisoning cases, especially among young children. Statistically, exposures rose sharply across the U.S. and internationally, driven by misuse and misunderstanding. Nature Kleen’s mission, green cleaning with safety at its core, is more relevant than ever in a world where over‑disinfection can be just as dangerous as under‑protection.