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Updated October 14, 2022

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide,¹ appears as a colorless liquid and is used in a wide range of cosmetics and personal care products, as well as in first aid applications and water treatment.

Key Points/Overview

In personal care and household products, hydrogen peroxide works as an oxidizing agent, offering a lightening and whitening effect.

Hydrogen peroxide¹ is used throughout the healthcare industry and by consumers to clean and disinfect. It is used as an antimicrobial agent and an oxidizing agent and can be found in over-the-counter first aid antiseptics used to clean wounds.

The European Commission on Health & Consumer Protection conducted extensive testing on the safety of hydrogen peroxide in teeth whitening products and determined that the “use of tooth whitening products containing less than 0.1 to 6 percent hydrogen peroxide is considered safe.”

FDA has tested the effects of hydrogen peroxide as a food additive and included it on the Generally Recognized as Safe list.

Uses & Benefits

Hydrogen Peroxide is used throughout the healthcare industry and by consumers to clean and disinfect. It is used as an antimicrobial agent and an oxidizing agent and can be found in over-the-counter (OTC) first aid antiseptics used to clean wounds.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved use of a technology developed by scientific research nonprofit Battelle Memorial Institute to use concentrated vapor phase hydrogen peroxide to sterilize used N95 respirator masks and other personal protective equipment worn by healthcare professionals treating coronavirus patients.² This technology will help enable reuse of respirator masks that are in short supply.

In personal care and household products, such as hair dyes and bleaches, toothpaste, mouthwashes, bathroom cleaners and laundry stain removers, hydrogen peroxide works as an oxidizing agent, offering a lightening and whitening effect.

Safety Information

Hydrogen peroxide-based products purchased by consumers for household use typically contain around 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. Manufacturer’s instructions should be followed for safe use.

FDA has tested the effects of hydrogen peroxide as a food additive and placed it on the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list.⁴ FDA also has stated that hydrogen peroxide is “safe for use as an oral wound healing agent.”⁵

FAQs

What are some additional uses of hydrogen peroxide?

In low concentrations, hydrogen peroxide can be used as a mouth rinse to remove mucus or minor mouth irritations.⁶ In the home, it can also be used to help remove mold and mildew from dishwashers, disinfect counters and cutting boards, and wash vegetables by removing bacteria from them.

Is hydrogen peroxide harmful if inhaled or ingested?

Diluted hydrogen peroxide products, which typically contain about 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, are safe for regular household use. Hydrogen peroxide in more concentrated forms, for example solutions that contain 30 percent hydrogen peroxide, can be hazardous if not handled properly.⁷ These higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide may be found in industrial settings where bleaching textiles and paper takes place.⁸ The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s permissible exposure limits for hydrogen peroxide at higher concentrations is 1 part per million over an 8-hour work shift.⁹ Inhalation of hydrogen peroxide in the form of vapors, mists, or aerosols can cause asphyxiation in poorly ventilated areas.

Diluted hydrogen peroxide products containing 3 to 5 percent hydrogen peroxide are not easily absorbed through intact skin, but they can be mildly irritating to mucus membranes. Ingestion of hydrogen peroxide of any volume is not recommended.

Is hydrogen peroxide effective as a disinfectant against viruses like COVID-19?

Hydrogen peroxide is active against a wide range of microorganism including bacteria, yeast, fungi and spores.¹⁰ Commercially available 3 percent hydrogen peroxide is a stable and effective disinfectant when used on inanimate surfaces. It has been used in concentrations from 3 to 6 percent for disinfecting ventilators, fabrics and endoscopes. It is also included on the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of antimicrobial products for use against COVID-19.¹¹

Sources

Related Resources

American Chemistry Council Hydrogen Peroxide Panel Personal Care Products Council U.S. Food and Drug Administration International Agency for Research on Cancer Battelle CCDS Critical Care Decontamination System

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