Cover: The MAK Collection for Occupational Health and Safety

The MAK Collection for Occupational Health and Safety

German Research Foundation – Permanent Senate Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area
(MAK Commission)

ISSN 2509-2383



Wasserstoffperoxid

MAK-Begründung, Nachtrag

  Andrea Hartwig1 (Vorsitz der Ständigen Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft)
  MAK Commission2

1 Institut für Angewandte Biowissenschaften, Abteilung Lebensmittelchemie und Toxikologie, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), Adenauerring 20a, Geb. 50.41, 76131 Karlsruhe, Deutschland
2 Ständige Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Kennedyallee 40, 53175 Bonn, Deutschland

Abstract

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated the maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value) of hydrogen peroxide [7722‐84‐1] as new inhalation studies are available.

Hydrogen peroxide is an irritant to the respiratory tract and the eyes.

In a 90‐day inhalation study in the rat a NOAEC of 7 ml/m3 was determined, which confirms the previous 28‐day inhalation study and proves that the effects at the respiratory tract do not increase with exposure duration.

A new study of acute effects in volunteers suggests that hydrogen peroxide is slightly irritating at 2.2 ml/m3, but not at 0.5 ml/m3. These findings support all previously described results of inhalation studies in workers or volunteers.

Based on the NOAEC established for humans, the MAK value of 0.5 ml/m3 is retained.

Peak Limitation Category I and the excursion factor of 1 are retained as there are no new data.


Keywords

hydrogen peroxide, MAK value, maximum workplace concentration, irritation, peak limitation