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Chemical Sampling Information (CSI)
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General Description

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 Guide: 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

Exposure Limits

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

Health Factors

Carcinogenic Classification:

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Group 3 - not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans [381 KB PDF, 171 pages]

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; INGES 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

Monitoring Methods used by OSHA

Primary Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method (SLC1):

  • sampling media: Midget Fritted Glass Bubbler (MFGB) containing 15 mL TiOSO4
    maximum volume: 100 Liters
    maximum flow rate: 0.5 L/min
    current analytical method: Colorimetric
    method reference: OSHA Manual of Analytical Methods (OSHA VI-6)
    method classification: Partially Validated
    alternate analytical method: Polarographic
    method reference: OSHA Manual of Analytical Methods (OSHA ID-126SG)
    method classification: Partially Validated
    note: Submit as a separate sample. OSHA personnel may obtain sampling solution from the Salt Lake Technical Center.

On-Site Sampling Techniques/Methods:

  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: Dräger
    model/type:     Hydrogen Peroxide 0.1/a, order no. 81 01041
    sampling information: 20 strokes
    upper measurement limit: 3 ppm
    detection limit: approximately 0.05 ppm
    overall uncertainty: approximately 25%
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

  • device: Detector Tube
    manufacturer: Gastec
    model/type: 32
    sampling information: 5 strokes
    upper measurement limit: 10 ppm
    detection limit: 0.1 ppm
    overall uncertainty: 16% for 0.5 to 2 ppm, 8% for 4 to 10 ppm
    method reference: on-site air secondary (manufacturer)

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