Hydrogen Peroxide Toxicity

Excerpt

Hydrogen peroxide naturally occurs in the body as a byproduct of cellular respiration. As a chemical, it is used in bleaching, cleansing, and disinfecting processes in households and industries. Household concentrations generally range from 3 to 9% and are most commonly found at 3%. Industrial concentrations can be as high as 70%, most commonly ranging between 27.5 to 70%.

Home hydrogen peroxide is often used for cerumen removal, mouthwash, surface or fabric cleansing, and hair bleaching. It is often used in the medical field as a disinfectant and irrigation fluid at the bedside and in the operating room. Higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide are available in some health food stores as a type of "hyperoxygenation therapy." This has been touted as an effective and safe alternative treatment for everything from cancer to mental illness. However, these formulations are not supported by research to be effective and have caused great harm and even death.

As a disinfectant, it rapidly oxidizes, and the resultant free radicals damage proteins, DNA, and cell membrane lipids - both bacteria/viruses and tissue. Hydrogen peroxide may be harmful with dermal or ophthalmic exposure, ingestion, wound or rectal irrigation, injection, or inhalation. The toxicity depends on the solution's concentration type of exposure.