It’s well known that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can be used for hair bleaching, but there are a lot of other uses as well.
We discuss 9 applications for hydrogen peroxide in this blog and we introduce you to our WatchGas PDM+. The perfect gas detector to detect H2O2. More information on the PDM+ ? Check out the product page or get in touch with us.
The industrial market has long benefited from the utilization of hydrogen peroxide, based solutions to solve a variety of water, wastewater, and air pollution treatment challenges.
Hydrogen peroxide is precarious and slowly decomposes in the presence of light. Because of its instability, Hydrogen peroxide is typically stored with a stabilizer in a weakly acidic solution in a dark coloured bottle. H2O2 is found in biological systems including the human body. Enzymes that use or decompose hydrogen peroxide are classified as peroxidases
Your bottle of hydrogen peroxide is too valuable to just stay in your first-aid kit. While the inexpensive liquid is known for its medical uses and bleaching hair, it’s also a resourceful substance that can be used in a host of other ways.
Hydrogen peroxide (formula H2O2) is a chemical compound that’s a combination of hydrogen and water. The clear liquid acts as a delicate antiseptic and comes in various potencies depending on its purpose: 3 percent (household use), 6 to 10 percent (hair bleaching), 35 percent (food-grade) and 90 percent (industrial). Most stores carry the 3 percent solution, packaged in a signature brown bottle.
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For years, medical professionals recommended using hydrogen peroxide to treat minor scrapes and cuts. That’s because when it’s placed on the skin, it foams, which indicates it’s killing bacteria. Today, doctors know hydrogen peroxide also kills healthy cells, so many no longer recommend its use for that purpose. It also can be damaging if it gets in your eyes, covers a large area of your skin or is ingested, especially the food-grade hydrogen peroxide.
But no worries. H2O2 has many other helpful applications, some of which might be new to you. Here are nine.
1. Food/Aseptic Packaging
Hydrogen peroxide is an extraordinary microbiologically safe reagent. Therefore, it is used as a sterilizing agent for the internal aseptic zones of the manufacturing machines and the surface of the packaging material that will be in contact with the food.
2. Helps grow your garden
Gardeners know one of the best substances for their plants is hydrogen peroxide. The all-purpose liquid can help with pest control, prevent infection on damaged trees, kill foliage fungus, and combat root rot, as well as improve plant growth. That extra oxygen causes the roots to absorb more nutrients. For pest control or growth, add one teaspoon to one cup of water in a spray bottle and mist the plant. To fight root rot or fungal infections, use one tablespoon per cup of water.
3. Remove Stains
Industrial hydrogen peroxide is used for bleaching of chemical pulp, mechanical pulp, and recycled pulp (de-inking). The use of industrial hydrogen peroxide in pulp & paper bleaching increases brightness levels, improves brightness stability, and reduces manufacturing cost, as it is the only chemical that is mandatory.
4. Disinfectant
Hydrogen peroxide is used in certain waste-water treatment processes to remove organic impurities. In leading oxidation processing, the Fenton reaction gives the immensely reactive hydroxyl radical (OH). This degrades organic compounds, including those that are ordinarily tough, such as aromatic or halogenated compounds. It can also oxidize sulfur-based compounds present in the waste; which is helpful as it generally reduces their odour.
Hydrogen peroxide can be used for the sterilization of various surfaces, including surgical tools, and may be deployed as a vapour for room sterilization. H2O2 demonstrates broad-spectrum efficacy against viruses, bacteria, yeasts, and bacterial spores.
With the Corona Virus its application is soaring.
5. Textile Industry
Hydrogen peroxide is the prime bleaching agent in natural and synthetic fibers treatment, which includes wool, linen, cotton, silk, and rayon. It gives the fibers a high degree of brightness while at the same time preserving their mechanical properties.
6. Chemical Synthesis
In this field, it has found its use as an oxidizing agent. H2O2 has a low molecular weight; it is thus a more efficient oxidizing agent than potassium permanganate or dichromate. It is solvable in several organic solvents including water and the substrate itself
7. Electronics Industry
In this field, it finds its use as an oxidizing and a cleaning agent. The production process of printed circuits boards uses Hydrogen Peroxide as an etchant. The manufacturing process of semiconductors uses high-quality electronic grade hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing and cleaning agent.
8. Soil remediation
Hydrogen peroxide is environmentally and ecologically friendly; hence, it finds use in a variety of applications related to the environment. The process uses hydroxyl radicals to decompose toxic substances. Technological processes also use Hydrogen Peroxide to reduce their negative environmental impact. Soil remediation, when polluted with Hydro Carbons, is generally done using H2O2.
9. Kills Mildew and Mold
As we noted earlier, hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria, but it also dispatches fungi such as mold and mildew. So grab a spray bottle of hydrogen and spray your bathroom fixtures, floors, walls, humidifier, dehumidifier, and even your shower curtain. That bubbling sound will tell you it’s working.
Note: The regular strength of hydrogen peroxide (3-5 percent) is OK to ingest, but higher strengths (10 percent or more) can be toxic if swallowed.
Hydrogen peroxide is dangerous when the condensation is inhaled. The 8 hour TWA limit for H2O2 is 1 ppm, and the 15-minute STEL is 2 ppm as per UK EH40. Gas detection should be used when handling H2O2 for personal safety.
