Hydrogen peroxide: general information
Updated 28 November 2024
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Overview
Hydrogen peroxide is a colourless liquid with a slightly sharp odour. It is unstable and flammable under heating, friction or when contaminated. Hydrogen peroxide occurs naturally at very low levels in the air and water, in human and plant tissues and bacteria and in some food and drinks.
Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is produced industrially in large quantities. The main use of hydrogen peroxide is as a bleaching agent for wood pulp, as well as for bleaching textiles, paper and food. It is also used as a chemical intermediate in the production of a wide range of chemicals, plastics, and pharmaceuticals.
Hydrogen peroxide is used to treat wastewater and sewage from industrial and domestic sources and for detoxifying organic pollutants in the environment. It is also used as a commercial disinfectant and antimicrobial agent. Hydrogen peroxide is a component in some types of rocket fuel as it is extremely reactive. Hydrogen peroxide at low concentrations (around 3 to 6%) is used in peroxide-based hair dyes.
How hydrogen peroxide gets into the environment
Hydrogen peroxide occurs naturally at very low levels in the air and water, in human and plant tissue and bacteria and in some food and drinks. It is produced industrially in large quantities, and it may enter the environment from workplaces where it is manufactured or used.
Exposure to hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide at high concentrations is toxic by all routes of exposure, whether it is ingested, inhaled, or comes into contact with the skin and eyes. Exposure to large amounts of hydrogen peroxide is most likely to occur in an occupational setting. However, you may be exposed to small amounts of hydrogen peroxide at low concentrations due to its use in domestic products such as chlorine-free bleach and hair dye.
How exposure to hydrogen peroxide can affect your health
The presence of hydrogen peroxide in the environment does not always lead to exposure. Clearly, in order for it to cause any adverse health effects you must come into contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing, eating, or drinking the substance or by skin contact. Following exposure to any chemical, the adverse health effects you may encounter depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.
Hydrogen peroxide is an irritant. Inhalation of hydrogen peroxide will cause irritation to the nose, throat, and respiratory tract. Ingestion of high concentrations will cause abdominal pain, foaming at the mouth, vomiting, bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract, gastric bloating, fever, lethargy, unconsciousness and in severe cases death. Skin contact with low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide cause a whitening of the skin. High concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can cause irritation and redness, corrosion, severe burns, blisters, ulcers, and permanent scarring following skin contact. Eye contact with high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can cause pain, running of the eyes, conjunctivitis, sensitivity to light, severe eye burns and permanent injury including blindness.
Hydrogen peroxide and cancer
There is no evidence to suggest that exposure to hydrogen peroxide would cause cancer in humans.
Pregnancy and the unborn child
There is no evidence to suggest that exposure to hydrogen peroxide can affect the health of the unborn child.
Children
Children exposed to hydrogen peroxide would be affected in the same way as adults.
What to do if you are exposed to hydrogen peroxide
If you have got hydrogen peroxide on your skin remove soiled clothing, wash the affected area with lukewarm water and soap for at least 10 to 15 minutes and seek medical advice. If you have got hydrogen peroxide in your eyes remove contact lenses, wash the affected area with lukewarm water for at least 10 to 15 minutes and seek medical advice. If you have ingested hydrogen peroxide seek medical advice.
The information contained in this document from the UKHSA Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards Directorate is correct at the time of its publication.
Email chemcompendium@ukhsa.gov.uk if you have any questions about this guidance or enquiries@ukhsa.gov.uk if you have any other questions.
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