Add to MyChemicals Print Friendly Page
Chemical Datasheet

BENZOYL PEROXIDE

5.2 - Organic peroxide
Chemical Identifiers | Hazards | Response Recommendations | Physical Properties | Regulatory Information | Alternate Chemical Names

Chemical Identifiers

The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 94-36-0
  • Organic Peroxide
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Benzoyl peroxideexternal_link
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Odorless white powder or granules. Sinks in water. (USCG, 1999)

Hazards

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Suffocating smoke evolved

Behavior in Fire: May explode (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
CONTACT WITH EYES OR SKIN: irritates eyes. Prolonged contact may irritate skin. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
BENZOYL PEROXIDE is a white, odorless powder, moderately toxic. It is most dangerous when it contains less then 1% water. A moisture content of 3% allowed slow burning only, and at 5% ignition did not occur [McCloskey, C. M. et al., Chem. Abs., 1967, 66, 12613c]. Mixed with a large surplus of water (30% or more), it is relatively safe. In dry form, it is a very dangerous material. It will explode spontaneously when heated above melting point (103°C). An explosion which occurred when a screw-capped bottle of the peroxide was opened has been attributed to friction, which initiated a mixture of peroxide and organic dust in the cap threads [Lappin, G. R., Chem. Eng. News, 1948, 26, p.3518]. A violent explosion occurred during purification of the peroxide by Soxhlet extraction with hot chloroform [Anon., Sichere Chemiearb., 1976, 28, p. 49]. It is a powerful oxidizer, which ignites readily and burns rapidly. In contact with reducing agents, it may ignite by spontaneous chemical reaction. It must be kept in a cool place, in isolation and out of the sunlight or sources of heat. Also, avoid shock or friction. It reacts violently with inorganic or organic acids, alcohols, amines, metallic naphthenates and polymerization accelerators (e.g., N,N-dimethylaniline). Explosive or violent reaction upon contact with dimethyl sulfide, lithium aluminum hydride or aniline [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 1140]. Mixture with carbon tetrachloride and ethylene explodes when exposed to heat [Bolt, R. O. et al., Chem. Eng. News, 1947, 25, p. 1866]. Ignition occurred upon contact with methyl methacrylate [MCA Case History No. 996], polymerization of vinyl acetate in ethyl acetate accelerated out of control leading to ignition and explosion [Vervalin, 1973, p. 81]. At 50°C a mixture of dibenzoyl peroxide and charcoal reacts violently producing dense white smoke of benzoic acid, benzene, phenyls and carbon dioxide [Leleu, Cahiers, 1980, 99, p. 279].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below. More info about absorbents, including situations to watch out for...

Response Recommendations

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 146 [Organic Peroxides (Heat, Contamination and Friction Sensitive)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial evacuation for at least 250 meters (800 feet) in all directions.

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
Fire Extinguishing Agents Not to Be Used: Do not use hand extinguishers

Fire Extinguishing Agents: Difficult to extinguish once ignited. Use water spray to cool surrounding area. (USCG, 1999)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 146 [Organic Peroxides (Heat, Contamination and Friction Sensitive)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Keep substance wet using water spray. Stop leak if you can do it without risk.

SMALL SPILL: Pick up with inert, damp, non-combustible material using clean, non-sparking tools and place into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal.

LARGE SPILL: Wet down with water and dike for later disposal. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Benzoyl peroxideexternal link:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises. (NIOSH, 2024)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital if advised by a physician. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • C14H10O4
Flash Point: 176°F (NIOSH, 2024)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: 176°F (NTP, 1992)
Melting Point: 217 to 221°F (decomposes) (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: less than 0.1 mmHg at 68°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.334 at 59°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: Decomposes explosively (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 242.23 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 79°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 1500 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2024)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Benzoyl peroxide (94-36-0) 15 mg/m3 1200 mg/m3 7000 mg/m3
(DOE, 2024)

Regulatory Information

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Benzoyl peroxide 94-36-0 313

(EPA List of Lists, 2024)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Dibenzoyl Peroxide 94-36-0 7500 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.