Product Name: Hydrogen Peroxide
Chemical Formula: H2O2
Synonyms: Hydrogen dioxide, Peroxide
CAS Number: 7722-84-1
Intended Use: Disinfectant, bleaching agent, oxidizer in laboratories and industry
Manufacturer Information: Listed on product label, includes address and emergency phone number
Emergency Contact: Chemtrec or local poison control center, available for information on accidental exposure or spills
Hazard Classification: Corrosive to skin and eyes, oxidizing agent
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; may cause respiratory irritation; can intensify fire as an oxidizer
Pictograms: Corrosion, exclamation mark, flame over circle
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors or spray; wear protective gloves, clothing, and eye/face protection; keep away from heat, sparks, or open flame; store locked and tightly closed; wash thoroughly after handling
Hydrogen Peroxide: 30-35% by weight in common laboratory and cleaning solutions
Water: Balance to 100% by weight
Impurities: Stabilizers like acetanilide may be present, listed by supplier; most commercially available material contains traces below reporting thresholds
Inhalation: Remove exposed person to fresh air; support breathing as needed; seek immediate medical attention if symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath occur
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; rinse skin with plenty of water for several minutes; call for medical support if irritation or blistering develops
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes; remove contact lenses if present; always get prompt medical treatment for burns or vision effects
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly; avoid inducing vomiting; call poison center or doctor at once if large amount has been swallowed or if victim feels unwell
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray or flood, because hydrogen peroxide itself will decompose and supports combustion
Specific Hazards: Nonflammable but speeds up the burning of combustible materials nearby, strong oxidizer
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear and breathing apparatus for responders, keep upwind of containers, cool tanks with water, watch for release of oxygen gas under heat
Personal Precautions: Use chemical goggles, acid-resistant gloves, and protective clothing; stay upwind to avoid vapors, evacuate area if needed
Methods for Cleanup: Control and contain the spill with non-combustible absorbents like vermiculite or sand; avoid using rags or sawdust; transfer to closed chemical waste containers
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry to drains, surface water, or soil; hydrogen peroxide can harm aquatic life and decompose into oxygen gas, which builds up pressure
Safe Handling: Always add hydrogen peroxide to water, never the reverse, to avoid splashing and rapid reaction; keep containers tightly closed; avoid mixing with organic materials, metals, or strong base
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, ventilated place, away from sunlight and incompatible substances; always use vented containers to prevent pressure buildup from gas; never return unused material to original container
Incompatibilities: Avoid acids, alkalis, reducing agents, combustibles, and metals like iron, copper, brass, or their alloys, which catalyze decomposition
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL 1 ppm (1.4 mg/m³) as a ceiling value; ACGIH TLV 1 ppm TWA
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation to reduce vapor concentration, emergency eye wash and shower in working area
Personal Protective Equipment: Splash-proof goggles, rubber or nitrile gloves, chemical-resistant apron, face shield if splashing is likely, adequate respiratory protection if levels approach regulatory limits
Appearance: Colorless, clear liquid with faint pungent odor
Odor Threshold: Slight sharp odor at higher concentrations
pH: Acidic, usually around 3.5-4.5 depending on strength
Melting Point: -0.43°C for pure compound
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling, around 150.2°C for pure hydrogen peroxide under controlled conditions
Decomposition Temperature: Releases oxygen above 100°C or in presence of catalysts
Vapor Pressure: 1.3 kPa at 30°C (30% solution)
Solubility in Water: Miscible in all proportions
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal use and storage conditions in original containers; decomposes rapidly on contact with incompatible materials or under heat
Hazardous Reactions: Vigorous reactions with organic materials, strong acids, bases, many metals and salts, resulting in rapid oxygen release
Conditions to Avoid: Strong sunlight, heat, contamination with dust or incompatible substances
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Water and oxygen (main products), possible formation of explosive mixtures if confined
Instability: More concentrated solutions decompose faster, can rupture container from pressure buildup
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Acute Effects: Severe irritation or chemical burns to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes; ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain; inhalation of mist can produce coughing or difficulty breathing
Chronic Effects: Prolonged contact can cause skin whitening, blistering, persistent irritation; dental and respiratory tract irritation on repeat inhalation
Mutagenicity/Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic per IARC; some concern for possible DNA effects with excessive, prolonged exposure
LD50 Values: Oral rat ~ 801 mg/kg (35% solution); exact risk determined by concentration and amount
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms at high concentrations; hydrogen peroxide breaks down rapidly in natural waters, but initial exposure can harm fish and invertebrates
Persistence and Degradability: Readily decomposes to oxygen and water, does not build up in environment
Bioaccumulation: Not likely to accumulate in aquatic or terrestrial organisms
Mobility: Moves freely with water; any significant release can reach groundwater or surface waters, leading to local impacts
Other Adverse Effects: Localized oxygen release can disrupt aquatic habitats, killing sensitive organisms
Treatment: Dilute with large quantities of water and neutralize if permitted by local regulations; small amounts can be flushed with copious water under drain control, large quantities must go as hazardous waste
Container Disposal: Rinse with water before disposing or recycling, never reuse containers for food or drink
Legal Requirements: Always consult local and national regulations about hazardous waste handling for proper treatment and documentation
UN Number: UN2014 (for 20-60% hydrogen peroxide aqueous solutions); UN2984 (for less than 20%)
Proper Shipping Name: Hydrogen Peroxide, aqueous solution
Hazard Class: 5.1 (oxidizer), 8 (corrosive)
Packing Group: II or III, depending on concentration
Labeling Requirements: Oxidizer and corrosive symbols, emergency contact, shipping papers
Additional Precautions: Never transport with combustibles or organic peroxides; keep away from sources of ignition and direct sunlight during shipping
OSHA: Classified as hazardous chemical, subject to hazard communication standard
EPA: Listed for permissible environmental releases; spills must be reported if above threshold amounts
TSCA: Listed substance; regulations govern industrial and commercial uses
SARA Title III: Subject to community right-to-know reporting requirements
Other Local/International Laws: Transport and storage subject to strict regulations under DOT, IMDG, IATA; check state and country-specific requirements for storage or disposal
