Problems related to the use of sodium hypochlorite in the detoxification of aflatoxin B1

Sodium hypochlorite solution which has been in use for a long time as a reagent to treat laboratory wastes and equipment contaminated with aflatoxin B1, has been shown by TLC, HPLC and mass spectrometry to lead to the formation of products which include its carcinogenic 2,3-dichloro derivative. A modification to the method of decontamination using sodium hypochlorite, based on the instability of the 2,3-dichloro derivative in the presence of acetone, is suggested.