BENZOYL PEROXIDE

Odorless white powder or granules. Sinks in water. (USCG, 1999)

• Explosive
• Strong Oxidizing Agent

Insoluble in water.

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Suffocating smoke evolved

Behavior in Fire: May explode (USCG, 1999)

CONTACT WITH EYES OR SKIN: irritates eyes. Prolonged contact may irritate skin. (USCG, 1999)

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].

• Peroxides, Organic

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents
• Expanded Polymeric Absorbents

Excerpt from 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 car or tank truck 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, 2020)

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)

Excerpt from 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, 2020)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Benzoyl peroxide:

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, 2023)

No information available.

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)

• ABCAT 40
• ACETOXYL
• ACNEGEL
• AZTEC BPO
• BENBEL C
• BENOXYL
• BENZAC
• BENZAKNEW
• BENZOIC ACID, PEROXIDE
• BENZOPEROXIDE
• BENZOYL
• BENZOYL PEROXIDE
• BENZOYL SUPEROXIDE
• BP
• BPO
• BZF-60
• CADET
• CADET BPO
• CADET BPO 78W
• CADOX
• CADOX 40E
• CADOX B 50P
• CADOX B 75W
• CADOX B-CH 50
• CADOX BS
• CHALOXYD BP 50FT
• CLEARASIL BENZOYL PEROXIDE LOTION
• CLEARASIL BP ACNE TREATMENT
• CUTICURA ACNE CREAM
• DEBROXIDE
• DIBENZOYL PEROXIDE
• DIPHENYLGLYOXAL PEROXIDE
• DRY AND CLEAR
• EPI-CLEAR
• FOSTEX
• G 20
• GAROX
• INCIDOL
• LOROXIDE
• LUCIDOL
• LUCIDOL 40E
• LUCIDOL 50P
• LUCIDOL 70
• LUCIDOL 75FP
• LUCIDOL 78
• LUCIDOL 98
• LUCIDOL B 50
• LUCIDOL BT 50
• LUCIDOL BW 50T
• LUCIDOL CH 50
• LUCIDOL G 20
• LUCIDOL KL 50
• LUCIDOL S 50
• LUCIDOL W 40
• LUPERCO
• LUPERCO AA
• LUPERCO AST
• LUPEROX FL
• NAYPER B AND BO
• NOROX BZP-250
• NOROX BZP-C-35
• NOVADELOX
• NYPER B
• NYPER BMT
• NYPER BMT 40
• NYPER BO
• NYPER BS
• NYPER BW
• NYPER FF
• NYPER FF-K
• NYPER NS
• OXY WASH
• OXY-10
• OXY-5
• OXYLITE
• PANOXYL
• PEROXIDE, DIBENZOYL
• PERSADOX
• QUINOLOR COMPOUND
• SANPEROX BPO
• SULFOXYL
• SUPEROX
• SUPEROX 46-750
• SUPEROX 744
• TC 1
• TC 1 (PEROXIDE)
• THERADERM
• TOPEX
• VANOXIDE
• W 75
• XERAC