Hydrogen Peroxide Facts: Learn All About This Amazing Chemical
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Among the several chemical substances used in our daily life, hydrogen peroxide is a common one known to most people.
This nearly colorless liquid is formed by hydrogen and oxygen molecules and is very close to water or hydrogen dioxide. However, the formula of this compound is H2O2 and this gives it the power of oxidization.
Commonly found in household items, hydrogen peroxide is often used to bleach textile and paper items. At the same time, it's even found in toothpaste, mouthwash, and disinfectants as it can easily kill harmful organic materials like germs.
Moreover, hydrogen peroxide can even be used in plants to protect them from developing root rot or diseases. Even though it's an everyday compound many people are still unaware of different facets of it.
So, do keep reading if you're interested in knowing about hydrogen peroxide facts.
Potential Hazards
Even though hydrogen peroxide is a helpful compound, like any other chemics, it can also harm you if it's consumed or used too much.
One of the foremost things to realize is that the commercially available solution contains 3-6% of hydrogen peroxide. If you're using high concentrations of the substance it can be corrosive on coming in contact with skin, eyes, or the respiratory system.
That's why it's important to wear proper clothes and protective gear like masks or goggles while spraying hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectants.
Similarly, if you're using hydrogen peroxide to clean wounds, make sure it's medical grade and of the right dilution. If it's too concentrated, try to mix it with water before applying it to the skin.
Some people use concentrated hydrogen peroxide to bleach their hair, but this can be dangerous and lead to burns if proper care isn't used.
You may know, that the compound is also used as a disinfectant for water. Make sure to follow the guidelines properly to only use the specified amount and at the right concentration.
Moreover, as hydrogen peroxide is used to treat plants, you should always remember to dilute the solution. Usually, only a few teaspoons mixed with a cup of water work just fine for plants, but it may vary based on the problem.
Types Of Hydrogen Peroxides
Well, the types of hydrogen peroxide mainly stand for how much of the chemical compound is present in the solution.
These days, you can even get high-strength hydrogen peroxide up to 90% that might be used in factories, especially to bleach paper or textile. But, typically, solutions made for household usage have a concentration of 3-6%.
And, the rest is water. While those used for bleaching hair can have a concentration between 6-10% and the use of strength is determined by the color of a person's hair.
The medical-grade hydrogen peroxides used by doctors usually have a concentration level of 30-35%. Having said that, even if a bottle of hydrogen peroxide mentions it's food-grade, don't ever think about ingesting the substance as it can be harmful to your health.
Medical Uses
Well, one of the most common ways of using hydrogen peroxide is for medical purposes. Low concentrations of it are used in dental hygiene products, while doctors also use it to disinfect surgical instruments.
Another popular way of using it is for disinfecting spaces as the substance is considered antimicrobial and kills germs pretty easily. That's why it's common to smell bleach or hydrogen peroxide in health centers and hospitals.
Dermatologists may also recommend people with acute or cystic acne use a topical hydrogen peroxide solution to kill the acne-causing germs hidden in hair follicles.
One of the controversial ways of using hydrogen peroxide is for alternative medicine as it's believed to be an all-in-one cure for chronic diseases, especially those related to skin. But, there's no proof for it, and you should always consult a doctor before using the solution regularly.
Having said that, hydrogen peroxide remains one of the best disinfectants and cleaners, so we don't hope to say goodbye to it anytime soon.
FAQs
Q. What are some fun facts about hydrogen peroxide?
A. It's usually referred to as the universal super cleanser that has been used for everything from household cleaning to surgeries.
Q. What is hydrogen peroxide used for?
A. The most common task of hydrogen peroxide is to kill bacteria, that's why it's often used as a disinfectant. You can find it in mouthwash, or even certain vegetable and fruit washes. In chemistry labs, hydrogen peroxide is often used as an oxidizing agent or oxidizer.
Q. Is hydrogen peroxide toxic to humans?
A. Even though humans can tolerate some amount of hydrogen peroxide in their bodies, swallowing a lot of it, especially in its concentrated forms can be fatal or toxic.
Q. Is hydrogen peroxide flammable?
A. No, hydrogen peroxide isn't flammable but it can cause a strong chemical oxidation process, especially in an organic compound.
Q. When should you use hydrogen peroxide?
A. By following the right precautions, you can use hydrogen peroxide for a number of things including chemical cleaning or disinfection of a place. It can also be used to clean wounds for disease control.
Q. Is hydrogen peroxide safe to use on skin?
A. Yes, a low concentration of the substance is safe to use on the skin. But, make sure to buy a bottle where it's mentioned that the liquid is stable enough to treat wounds.
Q. Is hydrogen peroxide an antiseptic?
A. Yes, hydrogen peroxide is regarded as a topical antiseptic that can be used for cleaning wounds to eliminate the presence of bacteria.
Q. Is hydrogen peroxide natural?
A. Most of the hydrogen peroxide solutions you will see in the market are artificially produced in labs, but a tiny amount of them is also naturally found in our atmosphere.
Q. What does hydrogen peroxide do to the skin?
A. When used in small amounts, hydrogen peroxide can help treat wounds and get rid of skin problems like warts. But, it can pose a threat to your health if too much of the solution is applied to the skin.
Q. Is hydrogen peroxide a mixture?
A. Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound formed by hydrogen and oxygen. However, for regular use, it's sold as a solution after mixing it with water to dilute the strength.
Q. Where is hydrogen peroxide found?
A. Naturally, hydrogen peroxide might be found in natural sources of water either above the ground or under it.
Q. What has hydrogen peroxide in it?
A. Everything from your hair dye to your teeth whitening toothpaste may have the substance due to the high level of oxygen.
Q. What does hydrogen peroxide do to earwax?
A. Hydrogen peroxide is often used to remove earwax as it loosens up the wax to make cleaning easier.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics
Martha MartinsBachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics
Martha is a full-time creative writer, content strategist, and aspiring screenwriter who communicates complex thoughts and ideas effectively. She has completed her Bachelor's in Linguistics from Nasarawa State University. As an enthusiast of public relations and communication, Martha is well-prepared to substantially impact your organization as your next content writer and strategist. Her dedication to her craft and commitment to delivering high-quality work enables her to create compelling content that resonates with audiences.
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