Hydrogen Peroxide

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-013661",
  "term": "Hydrogen Peroxide",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Hydrogen peroxide is a colorless liquid at room temperature with a bitter taste. Small amounts of gaseous hydrogen peroxide occur naturally in the air. Hydrogen peroxide is unstable, decomposing readily to oxygen and water with release of heat. Although nonflammable, it is a powerful oxidizing agent that can cause spontaneous combustion when it comes in contact with organic material. Hydrogen peroxide is found in many households at low concentrations (3-9%) for medicinal applications and as a clothes and hair bleach. In industry, hydrogen peroxide in higher concentrations is used as a bleach for textiles and paper, as a component of rocket fuels, and for producing foam rubber and organic chemicals.\n\n2. Hydrogen peroxide is used to increase the dissolved oxygen content of groundwater to stimulate aerobic biodegradation of organic contaminants. Hydrogen peroxide is infinitely soluble in water, but rapidly dissociates to form a molecule of water and one-half molecule of oxygen. Dissolved oxygen concentrations of greater than 1,000 mg/L are possible using hydrogen peroxide, but high levels of D.O. can be toxic to microorganisms.",
  "abbreviation": "H₂0₂",
  "synonyms": [
    "H2O2"
  ],
  "subject": "Land, waste and cleanup",
  "references": [
    "CDC Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Toxic Substances Portal",
    "Office of Underground Storage Tanks Technical Terms; Glossary of Technical Terms: Office of Underground Storage Tanks"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/hydrogen-peroxide/"
}