Mixing bleach and ammonia is not safe and can be life-threatening. When bleach is mixed with ammonia, toxic gases called chloramines are produced. Exposure to chloramine gases can cause coughing, nausea, shortness of breath, watery eyes, chest pain, irritation to the throat, nose, and eyes, wheezing, pneumonia, and fluid in the lungs. In high concentrations, coma and death are possibilities. Chlorine gas is even more toxic and can be deadly when bleach is mixed with an acid. If you breathe in the fumes of a bleach and ammonia mixture, you may experience burning, watery eyes, coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing, nausea, pain in your throat, chest, and lungs, and fluid buildup in your lungs. Death from mixing bleach and ammonia is very rare, but it is important to act quickly if you have been exposed to a mixture of bleach and ammonia. Here are some steps to follow:

• Move to a safe, well-ventilated area immediately.
• Call your local poison control center.
• Carefully follow cleanup instructions from your local poison control center.

It is important to note that if handled and used properly on their own, ammonia and bleach are safe and effective household cleaners, but together, they pose serious health risks.