sodium-hypochlorite and Porphyrias

Porphyria cutanea tarda was detected in a 44-year-old janitress. The illness was probably caused by the unintentional synthesis of a polychlorinated phenol as a result of mixing commonly available household ingredients in toilet bowls and shower stalls. Although the evidence for this hypothesis is circumstantial, its likelihood and the wide-spread household use of these reagents justify calling attention to the innovative misuse of disinfectants as a potential source of toxic exposure.

Topics: Adult; Benzyl Compounds; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Detergents; Humans; Male; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Medicine; Phenols; Porphyrias; Sodium Hypochlorite