Hydrogen Peroxide

Overview

CAS No. 7722-84-1

Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) is a colorless liquid with a slightly sharp odor. Hydrogen peroxide can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, skin, and throat. Workers may be harmed from exposure to hydrogen peroxide. The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done.

Hydrogen peroxide is used in many industries. In industry, hydrogen peroxide in higher concentrations is used as a bleach for textiles and paper, as a component of rocket fuels, and for producing foam rubber and organic chemicals. It’s also used in medicinal applications and to bleach clothes and hair. Workers may be exposed to hydrogen peroxide through inhalation or contact with the skin. Examples of workers who may be exposed to hydrogen peroxide include the following:

• Workers in poultry plants that use it in chemical disinfectants
• Stylists in beauty salons who use colorant products
• Hospitals and healthcare workers
• Factory workers in plants that manufacture foam rubber

NIOSH recommends that employers use Hierarchy of Controls to prevent injuries.  If you work in an industry that uses hydrogen peroxide, please read chemical labels and the accompanying Safety Data Sheets for hazard information. Visit NIOSH’s page on Managing Chemical Safety in the Workplace to learn more about controlling chemical workplace exposures.

The following resources provide information about occupational exposure to hydrogen peroxide. Useful search terms for hydrogen peroxide include “high-strength hydrogen peroxide,” “hydrogen dioxide,” “hydrogen peroxide (aqueous),” “hydroperoxide,” and “peroxide.”

NIOSH Chemical Resources

Related NIOSH Resources

• NIOSHTIC-2 search results for hydrogen peroxide—NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable database of worker safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.
• NIOSH Worker Health Study Summaries —NIOSH conducts research to prevent illnesses and injuries in the workplace. The NIOSH Worker Notification Program notifies workers and other stakeholders about the findings of these research studies.
• Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) Value Profile: Hydrogen Peroxide–NIOSH reviews relevant scientific data and researches methods for developing IDLH values.

Related Resources

• ATSDR Medical Management Guidelines (MMG): Hydrogen Peroxide
• ATSDR ToxFAQs: Hydrogen Peroxide
• EPA Chemistry Dashboard
• EPA Pesticide Fact Sheet: Hydrogen Peroxide
• FDA-Hydrogen Peroxide Ingestion
• Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Hydrogen Peroxide
• OSHA Chemical Sampling Information: Hydrogen Peroxide
• OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Guidelines: Hydrogen Peroxide
• OSHA Analytical Method: Hydrogen Peroxide
• OSHA Hazard Communication
• NLM Hazardous Substance Data Bank: Hydrogen Peroxide
• NLM Haz-Map: Hydrogen Peroxide
• NLM Household Products Database: Hydrogen Peroxide
• NLM PubChem: Hydrogen Peroxide
• New Jersey Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets: Hydrogen Peroxide

International Resources

• International Chemical Safety Card: Hydrogen Peroxide
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS): Hydrogen Peroxide
• European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): Hydrogen Peroxide
• Gestis Substance Database
• IPCS Poison Information Monograph 946: Hydrogen Peroxide
• OECD Global Portal to Information on Chemical Substances