Hydrogen Peroxide - All You Need To Know
Here are a few facts:
- Scientifically it is a water molecule but with one extra part of oxygen
- Its chemical formula is H2O2
- It is a clear colored liquid oxidizer
- Most commonly used as a bleaching agent
- It is produced by almost all living creatures.
- It is also made by sunlight hitting water.
First isolated by Louis Jacques Thenard in 1818. It is relatively cheap to buy, and became even cheaper, when it was they opened a massive manufacturing plant for it in Belgium. It is made in this mega-scale plant in vast amounts, in a new manufacturing process. Another of these mega-scale operations is set to open in Thailand in 2011.
For most people it is available in 3% or 6% solutions mixed with water. It can be purchased in all drug stores. Much higher concentrations are available for laboratory and commercial use. However at higher levels it becomes hazardous and special licenses are required.
In the higher concentrations it is a powerful oxidizer that will corrode many types of material, including a humans' skin. Above 70% concentrations can give off a vapor that may explode in the wrong situation. Although it has many uses, it should never be over used, because of its corrosive tendencies.
Uses for the home
One of the most famous uses is to bleach hair. “Peroxide Blonde” is a famous term which describes a light blonde hair color achieved when a 3-12% solution is mixed with ammonium hydroxide. This is a powerful way to color ones hair but over use will dry out and damage hair fibers. Protective gloves should be worn and it should be washed off skin quickly. Adult supervision is required for minors. If the solution is wrong it can look terrible, either by damaging the hair or getting the wrong color (orange).
It is also an environmentally friendly alternative to normal household bleach. It breaks down to water and oxygen. Whereas chlorine bleach forms toxic byproducts including furans, dioxin and other organochlorines when it reacts with other elements. The green movement is currently promoting hydrogen peroxide use as a replacement to normal chlorine bleach.
Dipping ones tooth brush in a 3% solution is an excellent way to maintain oral hygiene. The brush will then be free of germs the next time it is used. One spoon of the solution can also be placed in a glass of water. This makes an effective mouthwash and is said to help whiten teeth. A small amount can be mixed with bicarbonate of soda to create a home made tooth paste. Using it inside the mouth is not recommended on a regular basis as it can cause blisters, it is OK to use once or twice a week though.
It makes an excellent kitchen cleaning product, a little on a cloth will kill germs on surfaces like a cutting board. In bathrooms it is excellent on tiles to kill any mold on them. It is a brilliant cleaning agent which seems to 'fizz' dirt away. However it should not be used on painted items as it is likely to bleach them.
The 3% solution is an excellent cleaning tool for cuts and abrasions. Again there will be a fizzing when it is applied but this is a good sign. It will leave the cut clean and ready to begin healing. If there is a blood stain on clothing, a small amount can be applied to remove it. This must be washed off quickly to prevent bleaching the fabric. It should only be used on fresh wounds as it will kill newly formed skin on older wounds.
In a large bowl, a small cup can be mixed with water. Then fruit and vegetables can be immersed inside to remove E. Coli and other bacteria. The food should then be rinsed immediately with water. Alternatively a spray solution can be used for this purpose.
A small amount can be added to the washing machine in place of chlorine bleach for white clothes. White curtains, window nets and table cloths can be soaked in a solution for an hour to get rid of yellowing.
A little can be added to a watering can to help feed plants. Tap water has often lost some of its oxygen due to running through pipes. This gives plants the oxygen that they need to be healthy. There have been some spectacular reports from gardeners about the benefits of spraying plants and vegetable crops with it. It can also help to stop fungus growing.
Adding a cup of it to a dishwasher will help to remove bacteria and prevent the spread of ailments like the common cold. This same principle can be applied to bathrooms and door handles when someone has a cold or other disease in the home.
Other uses
It is used for paper bleaching. In 1994 50% of the amount produced in the whole world was used for this. There are many other industrial uses including oxidation and dissolution.
High test peroxide (HTP) is high concentration solutions (70-98+%). This is a propellant used in some low powered rocket engines. It is also used in satellites in space for control thrusters.
Doctors, dentists and hospitals still use it all over the world. It is an antiseptic thanks to the oxidation properties. There are newer more efficient alternatives but in many places it provides an excellent low cost solution. The reason alternatives are taking over is because it does cause mild damage to skin and tissue in open wounds.
It is now used to clean hot tubs and swimming pools. It is not a replacement for chlorine, but the swimming pool is cleaned with peroxide before water is added. This means that fresh water will stay clean for longer. This is not used for public swimming pools, but is popular for homes with a small pool or hot tub.
Tips And Warnings
Store out of direct sunlight in a cool place. The sun and heat will quickly render it useless. It should always be stored in a dark colored bottle to minimize light access.
Almost all over the counter solutions are not suitable for human consumption. It is dangerous because it can cause internal blistering and eat away at tissue.
It should never be mixed with other chemicals. It can react dangerously with certain compounds. There are various other home remedies online, but one should exercise caution when attempting to mix it with other liquids.
High concentrated solutions are corrosive and may even ignite if spilled on clothing. Vapors can react with other chemicals like alcohol creating hazardous gases.
Too much use inside the mouth can cause blistering and irritation. When it touches the skin it can damage the cells too. This can lead to scarring on wounds as new skin cells are more easily damaged.
Some people believe that it can cure cancer. The American Cancer Society has advised against using hydrogen peroxide for this purpose and recommended people stick with proper health care. There are various websites promoting this online but actual medical proof is lacking.
Some people have reported health benefits (like curing the common could, aches and pains) from inhaling the vapors of a weak solution of hydrogen peroxide. There is no medical research to back this up however and it is a fact that it can damage tissue when inhaled.