Peroxidizable Chemical

• Peroxidizable materials, when in the presence of oxygen and stored for long periods of time, or when exposed to sunlight, form unstable peroxides. These peroxides are friction and heat sensitive.  They may explode if conditions allowed.   Do not open containers with suspicious crystal liked solids found around the bottle cap.

• Classes of Peroxidizable Chemical

  • Chemicals that form explosive levels of peroxides without concentration

  • Chemicals that form explosive levels of peroxides on concentration, such as through distillation or evaporation

  • Chemical that may autopolymerize as a result of peroxide accumulation 

• Administrative Control  

  All peroxidizable chemicals should be stored in a cool and dry place with peroxide test label affixed to the container (Peroxide Test Label).  The date on the test label must be filled out as follow: 

  • At the time of receipt at Lab

  • When the container is first opened

  • At the time of the retest for peroxide, every 3 months after the container was first opened.

• Method for Testing Organic Peroxides

  • The peroxide test paper is available at the Chemicals and DG unit, Center of Laboratory Supplies (ext. 6887)