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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-hr

LC (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.]

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