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Hydrogen peroxide has almost no odor. If a fugitive leak does occur, it may be undetectable until too late.

Hydrogen peroxide gas is a strong oxidizing agent and very effective biocide yet it is environmentally friendly since it rapidly breaks down to oxygen and water leaving no harmful residues. This high reactivity means that if hydrogen peroxide vapor is inhaled there is a significant risk of harm to those people exposed.

ChemDAQ manufactures and sells a gas monitor for peracetic acid (PAA) for occupational safety. To calibrate this gas monitor ChemDAQ generates peracetic acid test gas. The PAA test gas concentration is analyzed by titration weekly.

In order to assess short-term exposure to peracetic acid (PAA) in disinfection processes, the Authors compared four industrial hygiene monitoring methods to evaluate their proficiency in measuring airborne PAA concentrations.

Information about ChemDAQ products

An overview of ChemDAQ products

The Regulatory and Recommending Associations and Agencies in the Industry

Common Industry Terminology

Peracetic Acid in the healthcare industry.

Assessing Hydrogen Vapor Exposure from Hospital Sterilization

Continuous monitors are now available for over twenty compounds and growing, because of their vast improvement in safety and reliability and have almost entirely displaced badges, except for a few chemicals for which continuous monitors are yet not available. As a result, badges are almost never used in industries where a focus on safety is essential.

Hydrogen peroxide is widely used in healthcare, and food processing as an antimicrobial and sterilant chemical. Hydrogen peroxide is very effective since it is a strong oxidizing agent, it rapidly breaks down to oxygen and water so there are no harmful residues. If hydrogen peroxide vapor is inhaled or the liquid is ingested, there is a risk of harm to those people exposed.

Sterilization is of vital importance in healthcare and while steam and heat provide reliable service for the majority of medical supplies, chemical sterilants and especially gas sterilants are the main methods used for those medical devices and supplies which are heat- and moisture-sensitive.

Hydrogen Peroxide - Material Safety Data Sheet

Chemical sterilizers should not leak toxic vapors, but sometimes they do.

What concentration of peracetic acid (PAA) vapor will cause people to start to experience irritation and to complain? This report provides a summary of the available literature to answer this question.

Ethylene Oxide Tank Changing Regulations - U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration

OSHA's cooperative programs helps encourage, assist and recognize the efforts of partners to eliminate serious workplace hazards and achieve a high level of employee safety and health.

Peracetic acid (PAA), also known as peroxyacetic acid is widely used in healthcare, food preparation and food and beverage packaging among other industries as a disinfectant
and liquid sterilant. PAA is a strong oxidant and primary irritant and as with all chemical sterilants, there is a risk of occupational exposure.

Hydrogen Peroxide Regulations - U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration