Hydrogen peroxide (Hydrogen peroxide)

Other names: Hydrogen peroxide

Harm score: 4 (Slightly harmful chemistry)

Hydrogen peroxide, which is also known as oxygenated water or simply peroxide, is a chemical compound with the formula H2O2. The use of this important chemical element can be found in many sectors of industry, but also in everyday life. The light liquid, which looks like water, is an important antiseptic and is therefore often used in medicine and cosmetics. Due to its properties, hydrogen peroxide is also a component of many cleaning and disinfecting products.

In cosmetics, hydrogen peroxide is often used to lighten hair because it can oxidize the dyes in the hair and thus lighten it. It is also a component of some toothpastes and teeth whitening products. In medicine, hydrogen peroxide is used to clean wounds and as an antiseptic for surface disinfection. Industrially, hydrogen peroxide is used, for example, in the paper industry for bleaching wood fibre or in the textile industry for bleaching fabrics. It is also used in the food industry, where it is used for disinfecting equipment and surfaces, but also for bleaching certain foods. Last but not least, hydrogen peroxide is also found in households as part of many cleaning and disinfecting products.