Are You Using Peroxide Forming Compounds?

 
describe the imageThe following post is based on a chapter from our new guide on peroxide forming compounds. If you want to know more about how to manage and treat potentially dangerous peroxide forming compounds, click the “read the complete guide here” button at the bottom of this page.

A student at the University of California, Berkeley was injured in a peroxide-forming chemical explosion in November of 2006. Glass fragments shot into her face and torso. She needed stitches above her eyes as well as other hospital treatments.  

Peroxide formation is a possibility with many laboratory chemicals by auto-oxidation and can result in unexpected lab explosions which could lead to injuries and even fatalities.  

What Are They?  

In short, peroxide formers are chemicals that if left after opening for a certain amount of time or if treated in a certain way, can form potentially explosive peroxide by-products. The list of peroxide forming chemicals is long and broken up into four classes (A through D).  Class A peroxide formers are the most likely to form peroxide crystals and should be disposed of after three months. Class D chemicals are the least likely and should be disposed of after 12 months. Peroxide formers are most commonly used as solvents and for purification purposes in labs, but have other uses as well.   

Peroxides can form when bottles containing these chemicals are exposed to light, heat, oxygen, moisture, or impurities. When they have formed, unscrewing a cap can contribute to a peroxide explosion.  

Small things like air exposure and the presence of dust on the threads of a screw cap can contribute to crystals forming an explosion upon opening. The explosion this could cause could break a bottle into pieces in a millisecond and send shards flying with enough force to fatally injure a researcher.  

Other chemicals can become explosive if they become concentrated through processes such as distillation or evaporation during laboratory research. Some of these chemicals are diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 1- and 4- dioxane, isopropyl ether, cyclohexene, glycol ethers, decalin, and 2-propanol.  Here is a list of common peroxide forming chemicals. This list is not complete. To determine if you have any peroxide chemicals in your workspace, contact one of our specialists for a consultation.  

Chemicals can form dangerous peroxide by-products  in a number of ways. The most dangerous chemicals are those that become potentially explosive when stored for a certain amount of time – usually after 3-months of opening. Isopropyl ether and vinylidene chloride are examples of such chemicals.    

How do I Prevent Peroxide Former Related Injuries in My Lab?  

It’s important to audit your chemical supply thoroughly before determining whether or not
you’re using peroxide forming chemicals. Here are some basic tips for preventing peroxide formers from becoming explosive:  

  • Buy only small quantities

  • Buy peroxide formers with inhibitors

  • Label all peroxide formers for when they’re opened and when they expire

  • Store peroxide formers in an area a way from heat, light, and oxygen

 For more detailed information on how to manage peroxide formers, check out the guide below.

Get This Guide