Safety
Unlike most organic compounds, benzoyl peroxide is potentially explosive, and, hence, it can cause fires without external ignition. The hazard is acute for the pure material, and for this reason, the compound is generally used as a solution or a paste. For example, cosmetics contain only a few percent of benzoyl peroxide and pose virtually no explosion risk.
Studies have highlighted the carcinogenic potential of benzoyl peroxide. A 1981 study from the journal Science concluded, "caution should be recommended in the use of this and other free radical-generating compounds".
Read more about this topic: Benzoyl Peroxide
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