Hydrogen peroxide

Hazards

Hydrogen peroxide vapour can detonate above 70°C, so it is critical to keep solutions and vapour cool. Distillation of hydrogen peroxide at normal pressures is highly dangerous. Hydrogen peroxide vapours can form sensitive contact explosives with hydrocarbons such as greases. Hazardous reactions ranging from ignition to explosion have been reported with alcohols, ketones, carboxylic acids (particularly acetic acid), amines and phosphorus.

Related Topics:
Alcohol - Ketone - Carboxylic acid - Acetic acid - Amine - Phosphorus

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Hydrogen peroxide, if spilt on clothing (or other flammable materials) will preferentially evaporate water until the concentration reaches sufficient strength, then clothing will spontaneously ignite. Leather generally contains metal irons from the tanning process and will often catch fire quite quickly.

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Concentrated hydrogen peroxide (>50%) is corrosive, and even domestic strength solutions can cause irritation to the eyes, mucous membranes and skin. Swallowing hydrogen peroxide solutions is particularly dangerous, as decomposition in the stomach releases large quantities of gas (10 times the volume of a 3% solution) leading to internal bleeding.

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The IARC lists hydrogen peroxide in Group 3: not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. One study on mice found an increase in cancers of the digestive system following ingestion of hydrogen peroxide, but other animal studies have proved inconclusive. Hydrogen peroxide is produced as a byproduct of oxygen metabolism, and virtually all organisms possess enzymes known as peroxidases which catalyse its decomposition to water and oxygen (see Decomposition above).

Related Topics:
IARC - Group 3 - Peroxidase - Decomposition

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A leak of high test peroxide (85-98% hydrogen peroxide) from a torpedo caused an explosion that sealed the fate of the Russian submarine Kursk.

Related Topics:
High test peroxide - Torpedo - Explosion - Russian submarine Kursk

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