Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Fact Sheet
Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) is a biocidal chemical often used in healthcare sterile processing and food processing. While necessary for
sterilization and disinfection, hydrogen peroxide is a highly corrosive chemical. Know the facts for process management and safety.
Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide
Hazard Summary4
Oxidizer Class with Concentration9
Biocide: Healthcare, aseptic packaging, bottling
Bleach: pulp & paper, bleaching agent for food
Oxidizer: Rocket Propulsion1
 Liquid contact can severely irritate and burn the skin
and damage the eyes
 Inhalation of vapor can irritate nose and throat and
lungs and higher exposures may cause a pulmonary
edema (a medical emergency caused by build up of
fluids in the lungs).
 Exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and
vomiting.
 Hydrogen peroxide is a mutagen – handle it as a
possible carcinogen. ACGIH classifies it as a
‘confirmed animal carcinogen with unknown
relevance to humans.’5
 Hydrogen peroxide is a reactive and dangerous
explosion hazard, and a strong oxidizer, which may
enhance combustion of other substances.
 Symptoms: irritation eyes, nose, throat; corneal ulcer;
erythema (skin redness), vesiculation skin; bleaching
hair.6
Concentration
<8%,
(NonHazardous)
Chemical Properties (H2O2)
 Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent, and
primary irritant but a weak acid (pKa = 11.62).
 No odor at low concentrations, acid-like odor at high
concentrations reported by some people.
 Mol. Wt 34.01g/mol, CAS 7722-84-1, MP -0.43 oC,
BP 152 oC. Note: may decompose violently if traces
of impurities are present.1
 Its oxidation potential makes it a very efficient
biocide, and bleaching agent. This high reactivity also
means that it rapidly breaks down in the environment
to benign oxygen and water making it
environmentally friendly but hazardous to anyone
exposed to it.
 Incompatibilities & Reactivities: Oxidizable materials,
iron, copper, brass, bronze, chromium, zinc, lead,
silver, manganese. Contact with combustible material
may result in SPONTANEOUS combustion.2
Mutagen, corrosive, reactive, oxidizer, poisonous gases
are produced in fire, containers may explode in fire.7
NFPA Rating with concentration)8
H2O2 Conc. wt.% Health Flammability Reactivity
<8
0
0
0
8 - 20
1
0
1
20 - 52
3
0
1
52 - 91
3
0
2
> 91
3
0
3
Microbiocidal Activity
Hydrogen peroxide has been shown to be effective
against all forms of microorganisms, including dormant
forms with known high resistance such as bacterial
spores and protozoal cysts, and also infectious proteins
such as prions depending on the specific use of the
chemical.3
8%-28% (Class 1)
28.1%-52% (Class 2)
52.1%-91% (Class 3)
>91% (Class 4)
Class 1. An oxidizer that does not moderately increase the burning rate of combustible
materials with which it comes into contact.
Class 2. An oxidizer that causes a moderate increase in the burning rate of combustible
materials with which it comes into contact.
Class 3. An oxidizer that causes a severe increase in the burning rate of combustible materials
with which it comes into contact.
Class 4. An oxidizer that can undergo an explosive reaction due to contamination or exposure
to thermal or physical shock and that causes a severe increase in the burning rate of
combustible materials with which it comes into contact.10
NIOSH RTECS #: MX090000011
RTECS Compound Description: Tumorigen, Drug,
Mutagen, Human Data, Hormone, Primary Irritant
Exposure Limits
 US OSHA PEL 1 ppm (8 Hr TWA);12
 Hawaii and13 Washington State14 3 ppm short term
exposure limit [STEL], (15 min TWA).
 UK HSE WEL 1ppm (8 hr TWA), 2ppm STEL (15
min TWA)15
 ACGIH STEL TLV 1 ppm, (8 Hr TWA)16
 NIOSH REL 1 ppm (hr TWA)17, IDLH 75 ppm.18
9
10
11
12
13
4
1
2
3
Merck Index, 12th Edition
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0335.html
The Use of Hydrogen Peroxide for Disinfection and Sterilization Applications Peroxides
(2014). Gerald McDonnell; Publ. Wiley, online: 28 APR 2014
5
6
7
8
http://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1015.pdf
2014 Guide to Occupational Exposure values, ACGIH
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0335.html
http://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1015.pdf
http://www.h2o2.com/technical-library/default.aspx?pid=76&name=Hazard-Classes
Examples
Contact lens sterilizer (2%), Over-thecounter H2O2 (3%), Liquid detergent bleach
(5%), Hair bleach (7.5%)
E.g. Pool shock (27%);
Most industrial strength grades
H2O2 sterilizers, chemical processes
Rocket propellant
14
15
16
17
18
http://www.h2o2.com/technical-library/default.aspx?pid=76&name=Hazard-Classes
http://codesonline.nfpa.org/a/c.ref/ID00001135745/chapter
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh-rtecs/MXDBBA0.html
29 CFR 1910.1000 Tbl Z-1
http://labor.hawaii.gov/hiosh/files/2012/12/12-60-General-Safety-HealthRequirements.pdf, retrieved 1/15/2013
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-841-20025
EH40/2005 Workplace exposure limits (publ. 2011)
2014 Guide to Occupational Exposure Values, ACGIH
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0335.html
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/intridl4.html
SL-119-B-0.00. © 2015
ChemDAQ Inc. • 300 Business Center Drive • Pittsburgh, PA • 15205
Phone 412.787.0202 • fax 412.788.2526
Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Fact Sheet Continued
Detection Methods
 ChemDAQ Steri-Trac®
Hydrogen peroxide.19
continuous
monitor
for
 SKC absorption tube.20
 OSHA method ID-126-SG, TiO(SO4) impinger21
Spill Control22
 Small Spills: Diluted with plenty of water to <1.0%
and wash all surfaces, articles and clothing which
have been contaminated.
 Large Spills: For large spills, approach from upwind
only if safe to do so due to hazardous vapor.
Appropriate respirators and other PPE may be
required. If possible, stem the spill and dam spilled
liquid with sand or earth. Avoid discharge to the
environment and if it occurs immediately notify the
appropriate federal, state and local authorities.
Dispose of the spilled material in accordance with all
applicable
regulations,
and
subsequently
decontaminate all surfaces, clothing and other articles
with plenty of water.
 For any spills, DO NOT mop up with paper, cloth or
other combustible material.
 Due to rapid decomposition, hydrogen peroxide will
not accumulate in the environment.
Regulatory Environment
United States
OSHA
 Duties: Employers have a duty to provide a safe work
environment and employees have a duty to work
safely.23
 Hazard Communication Regulation24, suppliers
(labels, safety data sheets), Employers (facilities,
work practices, training and personal protective
equipment) to enable the safe use of the chemicals.
EPA
 H2O2 is a registered pesticide under FIFRA for hard
non-porous surfaces,25 including sterilization.26
 Approved for anthrax spore decontamination27
FDA/USDA: Hydrogen peroxide is generally considered
safe when used for food processing.28
DOT – Class 5.1, packing group II for 20 – 60%, group
1 for > 60% w/w.29
European Union
Article 1.6. MAINTENANCE - annex 1 of machinery
directive 2006/42/EC
provisions for the surveillance and safe rescue of
operators.30
ER Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 concerning the
making available on the market and use of biocidal
products.31
Full registration under REACH, & list of registered
suppliers32
United Kingdom
COSHH Regulations. (Employers have a duty to assess
the workplace, identify chemical health hazards, take
necessary measures to protect health, provide
information & training to employees, and plan for
emergencies).33
CHIP regulations concern hazardous information and
packaging (implementing the Dangerous Substances
Directive (No. 67/548/EEC), and the Dangerous
Preparations Directive (No. 99/45/EC).34 CHIP is being
replaced by the European Regulation (EC) No
1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of
substances and mixtures (CLP Regs.)35
§243 Cleaning of internal parts. … Where it is not
possible to avoid entering such parts, the necessary
protective measures must be taken, such as, for
example, the fitting of an adequate ventilation system,
the monitoring of the concentration of hazardous
substances, or of the lack of oxygen in the air and
23
Occupational Safety and Health Act 1970, §5
29 CFR 1910.1200
EPA (Nov. 29012)
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/chemicals/hydrogenperoxide_peroxyaceticacid_f
actsheet.htm
26
http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/list_a_sterilizer.pdf, Feb 2014
27
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/chemicals/hydrogenperoxide_peroxyaceticacid_
factsheet.htm
28
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1366
29
http://www.solvaychemicals.us/SiteCollectionDocuments/tds/HH-2323.pdf
30
24
25
19
20
21
22
http://www.chemdaq.com/products/steri-trac-area-monitors/steri-trac-hydrogen-peroxidearea-monitor/
http://www.skcinc.com/catalog/infopage.php?id=6019
https://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/partial/t-id126sg-pv-01-0201-m/t-id126sg-pv-010201-m.html
Hydrogen Peroxide Safety and Handling Technical Data sheet,
http://www.solvaychemicals.us/SiteCollectionDocuments/tds/HH-2323.pdf
31
32
33
34
35
Guide to the Application of the Machine Directive 2006/42/EC
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/mechanical/files/machinery/guide-appl-2006-42-ec2nd-201006_en.pdf
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32012R0528
http://apps.echa.europa.eu/registered/data/dossiers/DISS-9d928d34-d05a-47c7-e04400144f67d249/DISS-9d928d34-d05a-47c7-e044-00144f67d249_DISS-9d928d34-d05a47c7-e044-00144f67d249.html#REGISTRANTS_SUPPLIERS
http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/basics.htm
http://www.hse.gov.uk/chemical-classification/legal/chip-regulations.htm
http://www.hse.gov.uk/chemical-classification/legal/clp-regulation.htm
SL-119-B-0.00. © 2015
ChemDAQ Inc. • 300 Business Center Drive • Pittsburgh, PA • 15205
Phone 412.787.0202 • fax 412.788.2526