Hydrogen peroxide

Repeated dose toxicity: dermal

Administrative data

Endpoint:

sub-chronic toxicity: dermal

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

3 (not reliable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: The study applied a limited study design (by exposing rats to hydrogen peroxide vapours via skin and lungs).

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Evaluation of the toxicity of hydrogen peroxide vapors for inhalation and percutaneous exposures

Author:

Kondrashov VA

Year:

1977

Bibliographic source:

Gig Tr Prof Zabol 21(10): 22-25. [Russian, English translation]

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Method: other: Subchronic study (4 months, 5 h per day, 5 d per week) using dermal (and inhalation = whole body) exposure to hydrogen peroxide vapour was conducted on rats with mechanically removed hair. No details of study protocol given.

GLP compliance:

no

Limit test:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Hydrogen peroxide

EC Number:

231-765-0

EC Name:

Hydrogen peroxide

Cas Number:

7722-84-1

Molecular formula:

H2O2

IUPAC Name:

hydrogen peroxide

Details on test material:

hydrogen peroxide not specified

Test animals

Species:

rat

Strain:

not specified

Sex:

not specified

Administration / exposure

Details on exposure:

dermal and inhalation (whole body) exposure

Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

no

Duration of treatment / exposure:

2-4 months

Frequency of treatment:

5 h per day, 5 d per week up to 4 months

Doses / concentrations

Remarks:

Doses / Concentrations:
0.1 - 10.1 mg/m3 (vapour)
Basis:

No. of animals per sex per dose:

no data

Control animals:

other: no data specified

Details on study design:

Post-exposure period: not given

Results and discussion

Target system / organ toxicity

Critical effects observed:

not specified

Any other information on results incl. tables

Effects: The threshold concentration of H2O2 vapours for effects on the rat skin was reported to be 1 mg/m3, the no-effect concentration was 0.1 mg/m3. After two months at 1 mg/m3, histoenzymological studies of the epidermis in the back revealed an increase in the activity of MAO and NAD-diaphorase, and after 4 months, an increase in MAO, NAD-diaphorase, SDH, and lactate dehydrogenase. In addition the method of S.K. Rozental revealed (after 4 months) significant dysfunction of the horny layer of the skin. LOEL: 1.0 mg/m3 NOEL: 0.1 mg/m3 (for enzyme activities in the skin)

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Executive summary:

The study investigated the toxicity of repeated dermal doses of hydrogen peroxide (applied as vapour concentrations) to the skin of rats by exposing them for 5 hours per day for 5 days per week for 4 months. The LOEL was 1 mg/m3 and the NOEL was 0.1 mg/m3 based on the activity of enzymes in the skin. However, the results are considered as not reliable due to the limited study design and the poor documentation.