• Synonyms: High-strength hydrogen peroxide; Peroxide; Hydrogen dioxide; H₂O₂
• OSHA IMIS Code Number: 1470
• IMIS Name History: Hydrogen Peroxide (90%) prior to 2/1/06
• Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 7722-84-1
• NIOSH Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) Identification Number: MX0900000
• Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Emergency Response Guidebook: 2984 140 (8-20% solution); 2014 140 (20-60% solution); 2015 143 (>60% solution)
• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Hydrogen Peroxide: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more

• OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
  • General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1 -- 1 ppm, 1.4 mg/m³ TWA
  • Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 1 ppm, 1.4 mg/m³ TWA
  • Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 1 ppm, 1.4 mg/m³ TWA
• American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 1 ppm, 1.4 mg/m³ TWA; Appendix A3 - Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 1 ppm, 1.4 mg/m³ TWA

• Carcinogenic Classification:
  • International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Group 3, not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans
• NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 75 ppm
• Potential Symptoms: Eye, nose, throat irritation; sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, pulmonary edema; dizziness; headache; blurred vision, corneal ulcer; redness, pain, vesicles on skin; bleaching of hair; Ingestion Acute: Sore throat; abdominal pain, distention; nausea, vomiting; possible embolism (oxygen bubbles) in the blood resulting in shock or symptoms of a stroke
• Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Marked (HE14); Acute lung damage (HE11); Mutagen (HE2)
• Affected Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system
• Notes:
  1. Listed by the FDA among "Direct Food Substances Affirmed as Generally Recognized as Safe" (21 CFR 184.1366).
  2. Metabolized to oxygen and water by catalase.
• Literature Basis:
  • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Hydrogen Peroxide.
  • International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Hydrogen Peroxide.
  • Ashdown, B.C., Stricof, D.D., May, M.L., Sherman, S.J. and Carmody, R.F.: Hydrogen peroxide poisoning causing brain infarction: neuroimaging findings. AJR Am. J. Roentgenol. 170(6):1653-5, 1998.
  • Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Hydrogen Peroxide. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 1. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 1286-1288.
  • Vander Heide, S.J. and Seamon, J.P.: Resolution of delayed altered mental status associated with hydrogen peroxide ingestion following hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Acad. Emerg. Med. 10(9): 998-1000, 2003.
• Date Last Revised: 02/24/2004

Primary Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (SLC1):

On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods: