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Hydrogen peroxide
May 1994
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH)
CAS number: 7722–84–1
NIOSH REL: 1 ppm (1.4 mg/m3) TWA
Current OSHA PEL: 1 ppm (1.4 mg/m3) TWA
1989 OSHA PEL: Same as current PEL
1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 1 ppm (1.4 mg/m3) TWA
Description of Substance: Colorless liquid with a slightly sharp odor.
LEL:. . Noncombustible Liquid
Original (SCP) IDLH: 75 ppm
Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statement by AIHA [1957] that the short exposure tolerance is unknown for man, but is probably 75 ppm. AIHA [1957] also reported that a single 4hour exposure to 75 ppm was tolerated by mice but higher concentrations produced delayed deaths [Svirbely]. According to AIHA [1957], concentrations in excess of 1,000 ppm would probably be lethal after a few minutes [Svirbely].
Short-term exposure guidelines: None developed
ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:
Lethal concentration data:
| Species | Reference | LC50(ppm) | LCLo(ppm) | Time | Adjusted 0.5-hrLC (CF) | Derived value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | Gig Tr Prof Zabol 1977 | 1,418 | —– | 4 hr | 2,836 ppm (2.0) | 284 ppm |
| Mouse | Stokinger & Scheel 1962 | —– | 227 | ? | ? | ? |
Lethal dose data:
| Species | Reference | Route | LD50(mg/kg) | LDLo(mg/kg) | Adjusted LD | Derived value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mouse | Lyazsky et al. 1983 | oral | 2,000 | —– | 9,929 ppm | 993 ppm |
Other animal data: It has been reported that mice tolerated a single 4hour exposure to 75 ppm [Svirbely].
Human data: It has been stated that although the shortterm exposure tolerance is unknown, it is probably about 75 ppm [AIHA 1957]. Death has resulted in a man who drank 100 ml [Raukhverger and Solodko 1974].
| Revised IDLH: 75 ppm [Unchanged]Basis for revised IDLH: Based on acute inhalation data in humans [AIHA 1957] and animals [Svirbely], the original IDLH for hydrogen peroxide (75 ppm) is not being revised at this time. |
REFERENCES:
1. AIHA [1957]. Hydrogen peroxide (90%). In: Hygienic guide series. Am Ind Hyg Assoc Q 18:275276.
2. Gig Tr Prof Zabol [1977]; 21(10):2225 (in Russian).
3. Lyazsky PP, Gleiberman SE, et al. [1983]. Toxicological and hygienic characterization of decontaminating preparations based on hydrogen peroxide and its derivatives. Gig Sanit 48(6):2831 (in Russian).
4. Raukhverger AB, Solodko ON [1974]. Intoxication with concentrated hydrogen peroxide. SudebnoMeditsinkaya Ekspertiza (Forensic Medical Examination) 17(1):5354 (in Russian).
5. Stokinger HE, Scheel LD [1962]. Ozone toxicity: immunochemical and toleranceproducing aspects. Arch Environ Health 4:327334.
6. Svirbely JL [?]. Unpublished results. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Public Health Service. [From AIHA [1957]. Hydrogen peroxide (90%). In: Hygienic guide series. Am Ind Hyg Assoc Q 18:275276.]