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 Dashboardexternal icon
• EPA Pesticide Fact Sheet: Hydrogen Peroxideexternal icon
• FDA-Hydrogen Peroxide Ingestionexternal icon
• Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Hydrogen Peroxidepdf icon
• OSHA Chemical Sampling Information: Hydrogen Peroxideexternal icon
• OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Guidelines: Hydrogen Peroxideexternal icon
• OSHA Analytical Method: Hydrogen Peroxideexternal icon
• OSHA Hazard Communicationexternal icon
• NLM Hazardous Substance Data Bank: Hydrogen Peroxideexternal icon
• NLM Haz-Map: Hydrogen Peroxideexternal icon
• NLM Household Products Database: Hydrogen Peroxideexternal icon
• NLM PubChem: Hydrogen Peroxideexternal icon
• New Jersey Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets: Hydrogen Peroxidepdf iconexternal icon

International Resources

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