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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/30/2004 : 08:43:45

I did not do this, came to me through CWBB, figured I'd pass it on:

I recently had an experience that I feel I need to pass along that may serve as a warning to other RVers. My RV had been sitting for several weeks unoccupied with its holding tank approximately one quarter full. When I returned to the RV there was a slight smell from the toilet's holding tank. I didn't have any treatment in the tank, and with none handy, I poured about two cups of bleach down the toilet. A short time later I noticed my sinuses starting to burn. I started the RV and moved it a few feet to hook up the car dolly. After I exited the RV to hook up the dolly, sewage exploded out the RV's roof vent — depositing it on the roof of the RV and van. I grabbed a hose and started washing off the sewage, with my sinuses now really burning. I have found from doing research that urine turns to ammonia when it sets for awhile. The chlorine bleach combined with the ammonia produced by the aged urine forms a chemical reaction that releases Chloramine gas, which is close to Phosgene nerve gas. That's why you're told not to mix bleach and ammonia for cleaning. Putting it into an RV's holding tank can actually be deadly. I was lucky. Please pass this warning on to RVers and anyone else who uses a holding tank. -- Capt. Charles Cross

Oscar
C42 # 76 "Lady Kay" (Ex. C250 WB #618)
Georgetown MD/Fort Lauderdale FL

Edited by - Oscar on 11/30/2004 08:45:02

Jeff McK
Captain

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USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 11/30/2004 : 10:36:12

YIKES

This guy was really fortunate. I've been on rescue calls (as a paramedic) where folks have been overcome by the fumes & wound up on respirators for a while due to lung damage. They had chronic problems for months afterward. I have also heard of fatalities from this.

Places you can get exposed to chloramine (or even chlorine gas) include:

1. Home or other cleaning chores where you mix ammonia & bleach to get that "extra sparkle".
2. Home swimming pools if you use the big tablets, granules or gaseous chlorine as a sanitizer.
3: On board: Do NOT rinse boat batteries off with salt water!! This liberates chlorine gas when it combines with the acid crud on the batteries & will kill you quick!

NOTE: Home hot tubs frequently use a bromine based sanitizer which is not a risk for this.

Please be careful out there. Clean is good, but not if it kills you.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.