What happens when you combine sodium chlorite with an acid?

[Previous Community Member]

And once combined, can it be ingested safeely by humans beings? If not, why not? And can the resulting substance(s) be correctly called "bleach?" Please tailor your answer to the layman. Thank you.

[Alexmadonik]

Hello Christine,

Commercial bleach is a 5% solution of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) in water; it is strongly basic (pH approximately 11).  Adding acid to it is a BAD idea.  Hypochlorous acid (HClO) is not stable and decomposes to water and chlorine gas.