Hydrogen peroxide

Endpoint summary

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Skin sensitisation

Endpoint conclusion

Endpoint conclusion:

no adverse effect observed (not sensitising)

Additional information:

Skin sensitisation - non-human information

The skin sensitisation potential of nine different 3% hydrogen peroxide solutions was tested in guinea pigs following a modified Magnusson-Kligman procedure in a study that is not in accordance with modern guidelines (DuPont 1953). In a first series, groups of five animals received six intradermal injections of 0.1 mL of 0.1% hydrogen peroxide over a period of two weeks. In a second series, groups of five animals received six times one drop of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a site of abraded skin. After two weeks the animals were challenged with a single exposure administered in the same way as before. The skin reactions were observed 1, 24 and 48 hours after the challenge. None of the tested solutions was rated as sensitising.

Skin sensitisation - human information

The following text on human information about the skin sensitisation potential of hydrogen peroxide is copied from the EU risk assessment report (European Commission 2003, page 115):

“There is one clinical report of two cases on positive patch tests to hydrogen peroxide (Aguirre et al. 1994). The first case was a 20-year-old woman, with no previous history of atopy and allergies, who had been working as a hairdresser for 4 years, the other case was a 27-year-old housewife, with no atopy or previous allergies, who had dyed her hair herself at home every 1 to 2 months for the last 6 years. In both cases the skin reactions to 3% hydrogen peroxide were strong; the former patient was positive also for nickel sulfate and 4-aminophenol, the latter for nickel sulfate, PPD, formaldehyde, 4-aminophenol, glyceryl monothioglycolate and cocamidopropylbetaine. The authors reported that 156 other hairdressers patch tested with the hairdresser’s series of chemicals were all negative to hydrogen peroxide 3%. The Dermatological Department at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health has since 1985 tested dermatitis patients having had exposure to hairdressing chemicals (mainly hairdressers) with a series of test substances containing 3% hydrogen peroxide in water. Computerised records were available concerning test results since 1991: 130 patients have been tested with no allergic reactions, one patient exhibited an irritant reaction. The Finnish Register of Occupational Diseases which was searched from 1975 through 1997 did not contain any cases of allergic dermatosis caused by hydrogen peroxide. The Dermatology Department of the University Central Hospital in Turku, Finland, patch tested 59 patients with 3% hydrogen peroxide during 1995-96, no positive reactions were found (Kanerva et al. 1998).”

Migrated from Short description of key information:

The EU Risk Assessment Report for hydrogen peroxide concludes that the substance should not be classified as skin sensitiser (European Commission 2003).

Respiratory sensitisation

Endpoint conclusion

Additional information:

No information about the sensitisation of the respiratory system induced by hydrogen peroxide is available.

Migrated from Short description of key information:

No information about the sensitisation of the respiratory system induced by hydrogen peroxide is available.

Justification for classification or non-classification

The EU Risk Assessment Report for hydrogen peroxide concludes (European Commission 2003, page 115):

"In spite of two reported cases of positive patch tests to hydrogen peroxide and the uncertainty surrounding an outdated animal study (with a negative result), and on recognition of the widespread occupational and consumer use over many decades, it may be confidently stated that the potential of hydrogen peroxide to cause skin sensitisation is extremely low and therefore does not meet the criteria for classification."