Customer Service

 Customer Survey

LABConnect™ - Online Results & More

Press Releases at EMSL

Category Press Release
Publish Date 9/22/2016
Author Paul Cochrane
Title Identifying and Preventing Hydrogen Peroxide Exposure Risks in the Workplace
Introduction EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides testing services and sampling supplies to identify hydrogen peroxide and other chemical compounds.

Cinnaminson, NJ, September 22nd, 2016  

Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Consumer Update for people who use hydrogen peroxide contact lens solutions. The document reminds consumers to follow manufacturer’s directions and warnings to avoid affecting their vision and health.

Contact lens wearers are not the only ones who can be negatively impacted by exposure to hydrogen peroxide. A number of industries use hydrogen peroxide in high concentrations, including bleaching textiles and paper, as a component of rocket fuel and for producing foam rubber and organic chemicals.

The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports that hydrogen peroxide can be toxic if ingested, inhaled or comes in contact with the skin or eyes. Eye exposure to 3% hydrogen peroxide may result in pain and irritation, but severe injury is rare. More concentrated solution may result in ulceration or perforation of the cornea. Skin contact can cause irritation and temporary bleaching of the skin and hair, while contact with concentrated solutions may cause severe skin burns.

The ATSDR also states that inhalation of household strength hydrogen peroxide (3%) can cause respiratory irritation, but inhalation of vapors from concentrated (higher than 10%) solutions may result in severe pulmonary irritation. Ingestion of dilute solutions may result in vomiting, mild gastrointestinal irritation, gastric distension, and on rare occasions, gastrointestinal erosions or embolism. Ingestion of solutions of 10-20% strength produces similar symptoms, but exposed tissues may also be burned. Ingestion of even more concentrated solutions may induce rapid loss of consciousness followed by respiratory paralysis.

“There are OSHA regulations to limit worker exposure to hydrogen peroxide that are meant to protect people’s health and safety,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “For industries that utilize hydrogen peroxide, EMSL offers hydrogen peroxide sampling supplies and comprehensive analyses. These services not only protect workers from excessive exposures, but are also instrumental for keeping companies in regulatory compliance.”

EMSL recently sponsored an educational video about hydrogen peroxide and exposure concerns that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/LKzLyH87T7w.

To learn more about hydrogen peroxide testing or other occupational, environmental, air quality, health and safety services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. 

Atlanta, GA (LAB 07) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-1Baton Rouge, LA (LAB 25) - NVLAP Lab Code 200375-0Beltsville, MD (LAB 19) - NVLAP Lab Code 200293-0Boston, MA (LAB 13) - NVLAP Lab Code 101147-0Buffalo, NY (LAB 14) - NVLAP Lab Code 200056-0Carle Place, NY (LAB 06) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-10Charlotte, NC (LAB 41) - NVLAP Lab Code 200841-0Chicago, IL (LAB 26) - NVLAP Lab Code 200399-0Cinnaminson, NJ (LAB List in Description) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-0Dallas, TX (LAB 11) - NVLAP Lab Code 600111-0Denver, CO (LAB 22) - NVLAP Lab Code 200828-0EMSL Canada - Calgary, AB (LAB 65) - NVLAP Lab Code 500100-0EMSL Canada - Edmonton, AB (LAB 50) - NVLAP Lab Code 600321-0EMSL Canada - Markham, ON (LAB 66) - NVLAP Lab Code 600317-0EMSL Canada - Montreal, QC (LAB 68) - NVLAP Lab Code 201052-0EMSL Canada - Ottawa, ON (LAB 67) - NVLAP Lab Code 201040-0EMSL Canada - Toronto, ON (LAB 55) - NVLAP Lab Code 200877-0EMSL Canada - Vancouver, BC (LAB 69) - NVLAP Lab Code 201068-0Fort Lauderdale, FL (LAB 56) - NVLAP Lab Code 500085-0Houston, TX (LAB 15) - NVLAP Lab Code 102106-0Huntington Beach, CA (LAB 33) - NVLAP Lab Code 101384-0Indianapolis, IN (LAB 16) - NVLAP Lab Code 200188-0Kernersville, NC (LAB 02) - NVLAP Lab Code 102104-0Long Island City, NY (LAB 03) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-9Meriden, CT (LAB 24) - NVLAP Lab Code 200700-0Miami, FL (LAB 17) - NVLAP Lab Code 200204-0Minneapolis, MN (LAB 35) - NVLAP Lab Code 200019-0Ontario, California (San Bernadino County / Inland Empire) (LAB 71) - NVLAP Lab Code 600239-0Orlando, FL (LAB 34) - NVLAP Lab Code 101151-0Phoenix, AZ (LAB 12) - NVLAP Lab Code 200811-0Piscataway, NJ (LAB 05) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-2Plymouth Meeting, PA (LAB 18) - NVLAP Lab Code 200699-0Raleigh, NC (LAB 29) - NVLAP Lab Code 200671-0Rochester, NY (LAB 53) - NVLAP Lab Code 600183-0San Diego, CA (LAB 43) - NVLAP Lab Code 200855-0San Leandro, CA (LAB 09) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-3Santa Clara, CA (LAB 47) - NVLAP Lab Code 600318-0Seattle, WA (LAB 51) - NVLAP Lab Code 200613-0South Pasadena, CA (LAB 32) - NVLAP Lab Code 200232-0South Portland, ME (LAB 62) - NVLAP Lab Code 500094-0St. Louis, MO (LAB 39) - NVLAP Lab Code 200742-0Tampa, FL (LAB 93) - NVLAP Lab Code 600215-0
Sorry, this function is disabled.