Clorox to eliminate chlorine from its namesake bleach

OAKLAND, CA — The Clorox Company recently announced that it is changing the formulation of its namesake bleach, starting at its Fairfield, California, factory, according to the Associated Press.

Amid growing safety concerns and growing regulatory scrutiny, Clorox will eliminate the use of chlorine so it no longer has to transport the substance used in chemical warfare during World War I to factories across the United States, the story stated.

Clorox spokesman Dan Staublin said: "Our goal is ultimately to eliminate the transportation of chlorine from our U.S. supply chain. By transitioning to a new manufacturing process now, that allows us to stay ahead of regulations and potentially avoid costs. With the regulatory environment we're in now, the transportation of different chemicals is being scrutinized maybe more than ever before."

Clorox plans to switch to high-strength bleach with a higher concentration of sodium hypochlorite instead of buying chlorine and making bleach onsite, the story noted.

According to the story, Clorox, which hopes to complete the transition away from chlorine at all of its U.S. factories within the next few years, would not disclose how much it would cost to make the changes, but stressed that consumers won't notice a difference in quality, smell or color.

Environmental watchdog Greenpeace applauded Clorox's decision, calling the move "technically feasible and a smart business decision," the story added.

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