Safety
Peracetic acid is a strong oxidizing agent (E = 1.762 V vs Ag/AgCl) and a primary irritant. Exposure to peracetic acid can cause irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory system and higher or long-term exposure can cause permanent lung damage. In addition, there have been cases of occupational asthma caused by peracetic acid. There is no US-OSHA permissible exposure limit for peracetic acid, but this does not mean the compound is harmless. In 2010, the US-EPA published Acute Exposure Guidelines (AEGL) for peracetic acid.
| eight-hour TWA AEGL | Definition | mg/m3 | ppm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The concentration at which the general population will experience transient and reversible problems, such as notable discomfort, irritation, or certain asymptomatic non-sensory effects. | 0.52 | 0.17 |
| 2 | The concentration that results in irreversible or other serious, long-lasting adverse health effects or an impaired ability to escape. | 1.6 | 0.52 |
| 3 | The concentration that results in life-threatening health effects or death | 4.1 | 1.3 |
In comparison, the OSHA PEL for hydrogen peroxide (8 hour TWA) is 1.0 ppm. Peracetic acid has found widespread use in healthcare, food processing, and water treatment because of its broad antimicrobial properties. In order for employers to comply with the General Duty Clause to provide a safe work environment, it is recommended that facilities using peracetic acid solution employ continuous monitors to provide an alert to employees if the concentration exceeds safe levels. This monitor is designed and installed so that it can automatically turn on additional ventilation as needed.
Concentrated peroxyacetic acid, an organic peroxide, explodes at 110 °C.
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