How Mixing Two Cleaning Agents Released Toxic Gas that Killed a Restaurant Manager

Ryan Baldera.Photo bymasslive.com

In the daily hustle of restaurants, with the clanging of dishes and the aromatic buzz of food, one wouldn't expect a life-threatening event to unfold. But in November 2019, at Buffalo Wild Wings in Burlington, Massachusetts, a tragic accident involving everyday cleaning supplies took place—an event that underscores the often-overlooked dangers of chemical reactions.

The Incident: A Fatal Chemical Reaction

Ryan Baldera, a 32-year-old general manager at the restaurant, started his day like any other. By evening, he found himself facing a spill in the kitchen. The liquid reeked of something foul, pungent enough to make anyone gag, and Ryan knew he had to act quickly with the dinner rush approaching.

Armed with a squeegee, he began to push the liquid toward a drain, unaware of the perilous chemical reaction brewing beneath his feet.

Little did Ryan know, the liquid was turning into a potent gas that began to spread through the restaurant. Patrons seated at the bar, initially annoyed by the smell, soon realized the severity of the situation as the gas thickened, causing many to cough and experience severe eye irritation.

The Science Behind the Hazard

An investigation later revealed that the spill was the result of two cleaning agents: Super 8 and Scale Clean. Super 8 contains sodium hypochlorite—commonly known as bleach—while Scale Clean is a concentrated, highly acidic detergent.

It seems that an employee accidentally spilled the cleaning solution Scale Kleen on the floor. Shortly after, another employee began cleaning the area with a different cleaner, Super 8.

When the two substances mixed, they reacted by turning green and bubbling. The reaction released fumes, prompting both employees and customers to evacuate the restaurant. The manager, Ryan, tried to clean up the mess but was overwhelmed by the fumes.

When these two chemicals combined, they formed chlorine gas, a dangerous compound with a lethal history. Chlorine gas, first used as a chemical weapon during World War I, causes severe respiratory distress, inflaming the lungs and airways upon inhalation.

Chlorine gas is particularly harmful when it comes into contact with moisture in the respiratory system, producing hydrochloric and hypochlorous acids. These acids attack lung tissue, causing fluid buildup, inflammation, and, in severe cases, irreversible damage that can lead to death.

For Ryan, his exposure to this invisible, toxic gas proved fatal, despite the best efforts of medical personnel. He died in the hospital within a day.

The Global Dangers of Chlorine Gas

Unfortunately, incidents like the one at Buffalo Wild Wings aren’t isolated. The accidental creation of chlorine gas happens more often than we realize.

In 2020 alone, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported nearly 4,700 cases of acid and bleach mixtures leading to chlorine gas exposure in households across the U.S.

In one incident, a mother named Dominique Heath inadvertently created chlorine gas while attempting to unclog her toilet. After using a product called "One Shot" to clear a blockage, she added bleach to the mix, unknowingly triggering the same dangerous chemical reaction. Fortunately, Dominique realized the danger in time, managing to open her windows and seek help before anyone was seriously hurt.

In both Dominique’s and Ryan’s cases, the common denominator was ignorance of chemical interactions. While most of us have heard warnings about not mixing cleaning products, the real consequences of ignoring these warnings remain largely unknown until it’s too late.

The Lasting Lesson: Handle Chemicals with Care

Ryan’s tragic death serves as a critical reminder that even in seemingly mundane situations, science can turn deadly if we’re not cautious. The mistake made that day wasn’t malicious—it was born out of the ordinary chaos of restaurant work. One employee spilled Scale Clean, another tried to clean it up with bleach, and disaster struck.

Chemical reactions like the one in the Buffalo Wild Wings kitchen are immediate and highly dangerous, and there’s no undo button. Whether it’s in a restaurant or at home, the science of chemistry is always in action, and the combination of substances—no matter how familiar—can lead to unpredictable outcomes.

Always remember, if you're handling cleaning chemicals, read the labels, ensure proper ventilation, and never mix them unless explicitly advised to do so. Safety should never be compromised for convenience.