Hydrogen Peroxide, are you Friendly? - Austin Van Dam

Hydrogen Peroxide, are you Friendly?

Austin Van Dam

(4)

The friendliness of hydrogen peroxide depends highly on what concentration we are interacting with. Do you know the saying, “I can only handle that person in small doses”? Well, same thing goes for hydrogen peroxide because at high concentrations (above 10%) it can be corrosive to people’s eyes, mucous membranes, and skin (1). Now, if high doses of hydrogen peroxide are somehow ingested or inhaled, it may also cause “seizures, cerebral infarction, or cerebral embolism” (1). Despite having extremely negative results when we are exposed to high concentrations of this chemical, hydrogen peroxide is quite useful in our society. When hydrogen peroxide is broken down it releases a lonely atom called nascent oxygen, and we use this type of oxygen to destroy bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms (2). This characteristic of hydrogen peroxide puts the chemical to good use in the pulp and paper industry by using it to bleach the materials (2). Furs, textiles, feathers, and hair are all other examples of things that are also bleached by hydrogen peroxide (2).

                When it comes to exposing hydrogen peroxide to us human beings, it may be somewhat friendly since it is a chemical that destroys bacteria but, we can only handle it in small doses. Solutions with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide concentration are used as over-the-counter topical antiseptics (1). These bottles that contain this specific solution are commonly applied to cuts or any type of open wound in order to sterilize and potentially speed up the healing process. But, is hydrogen peroxide just pretending to be nice, even at small doses? Even though this product is commonly used as an antiseptic, there are very few studies that have shown hydrogen peroxide’s true efficiency in healing and removing bacteria (3). After reviewing the few studies conducted, hydrogen peroxide does not hinder the healing process but does not reduce the amount of bacteria in a wound either (3). The solution is better off to be used to loosen up dirt and dead skin in a wound (3). So is hydrogen peroxide, even at low doses, a true friend?        

References: 

(1)  Agency of Toxic Substances & Diseases Registry. Hydrogen Peroxide,   2014. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/MMG/MMG.asp?id=304&tid=55   (accessed   November 5th, 2014)   

(2)  Chemical Compounds. Schlager, N.; Weisblatt, J.; Newton, E. D., Eds…;   Thomson   Gale: Farmington Hills, MI, 2006; pp. 365-366.

(3) Drosou, A.; Falabella, A.; Kirsner, S. R. Antiseptics on Wounds: An Area of   Controversy. Medscape.   http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/456300_3 (accessed   November 5th, 2014)
(4) Picture taken by Austin Van Dam, November 29, 2014.