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PERACETIC ACID

5.2 - Organic peroxide
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The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number
  • 79-21-0   (PERACETIC ACID)
DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • Organic Peroxide
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
2
3 4
ox
Blue Health 3 Can cause serious or permanent injury.
Red Flammability 2 Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 4 Readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or explosive reaction at normal temperatures and pressures.
White Special OX Possesses oxidizing properties.
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
Colorless liquid with a strong, pungent acrid odor. Used as a bactericide and fungicide, especially in food processing; as a reagent in making caprolactam and glycerol; as an oxidant for preparing epoxy compounds; as a bleaching agent; a sterilizing agent; and as a polymerization catalyst for polyester resins. (EPA, 1998)

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
  • Explosive
  • Strong Oxidizing Agent
Air & Water Reactions
Soluble in water
Fire Hazard
Decomposes violently at 230F. When heated to decomposition, this compound emits acrid smoke and fumes. Runoff to sewer may create a fire or explosion hazard. Powerful oxidizer. Isolate from other stored material, particularly accelerators, oxidizers, and organic or flammable materials. Avoid shock and heat. Hazardous polymerization may not occur. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
This is a very toxic compound. The probable human oral lethal dose is 50-500 mg/kg, or between 1 teaspoon and 1 ounce for a 150 pound person. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
Self-reactive. Peracids should be handled only in small quantities and with extreme care when pure or very concentrated. Organic peracids, such as peracetic acid, are so unstable that they may explode during distillation, even under reduced pressure [NFPA 1991].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below. More info about absorbents, including situations to watch out for...

  • Cellulose-Based Absorbents
  • Expanded Polymeric Absorbents

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 145 [Organic Peroxides (Heat and Contamination Sensitive)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial evacuation for at least 250 meters (800 feet) in all directions.

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
If fire occurs in the vicinity of this compound, water should be used to keep containers cool. Cleanup and salvage operations should not be attempted until all of the peroxyacetic acid solution has cooled completely. Keep unnecessary people away; wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing.

Fight fires from an explosion-resistant location. In advanced or massive fires, area should be evacuated. For small fires: use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or foam. For large fires: flood area with water. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Caution : Peracetic acid is a strong oxidizer. Fire or other violent reactions may occur upon contact with combustible organic material.

Avoid breathing vapors. Do not touch the spilled material; shut off all ignition sources and stop the leak if this can be done without risk. The spilled material should be absorbed with a noncombustible absorbent such as vermiculite. Sweep up and place in a metal container for immediate disposal. Do not use spark-generating metals or organic materials for sweeping up or handling spilled material. Dispose of the absorbed peroxyacetic acid solution, in small quantities at a time, by placing it on the ground in a remote outdoor area and igniting with a long torch. Empty containers should be washed with a 10% sodium hydroxide solution. (EPA, 1998)
Protective Clothing
For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. (EPA, 1998)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Tychem® Fabric Legend
QS = Tychem 2000 SFR
QC = Tychem 2000
SL = Tychem 4000
C3 = Tychem 5000
TF = Tychem 6000
TP = Tychem 6000 FR
RC = Tychem RESPONDER® CSM
TK = Tychem 10000
RF = Tychem 10000 FR
Testing Details
The fabric permeation data was generated for DuPont by a third party laboratory. Permeation data for industrial chemicals is obtained per ASTM F739. Normalized breakthrough times (the time at which the permeation rate exceeds 0.1 μg/cm2/min) are reported in minutes. All chemicals have been tested between approximately 20°C and 27°C unless otherwise stated. All chemicals have been tested at a concentration of greater than 95% unless otherwise stated.
Chemical warfare agents (Lewisite, Sarin, Soman, Sulfur Mustard, Tabun and VX Nerve Agent) have been tested at 22°C and 50% relative humidity per military standard MIL-STD-282. "Breakthrough time" for chemical warfare agents is defined as the time when the cumulative mass which permeated through the fabric exceeds the limit in MIL-STD-282 [either 1.25 or 4.0 μg/cm2].
A Caution from DuPont
This information is based upon technical data that DuPont believes to be reliable on the date issued. It is subject to revision as additional knowledge and experience are gained. The information reflects laboratory performance of fabrics, not complete garments, under controlled conditions. It is intended for informational use by persons having technical skill for evaluation under their specific end-use conditions, at their own discretion and risk. It is the user's responsibility to determine the level of toxicity and the proper personal protective equipment needed. Anyone intending to use this information should first verify that the garment selected is suitable for the intended use. In many cases, seams and closures have shorter breakthrough times and higher permeation rates than the fabric. If fabric becomes torn,abraded or punctured, or if seams or closures fail, or if attached gloves, visors, etc. are damaged, end user should discontinue use of garment to avoid potential exposure to chemical. Since conditions of use are outside our control, DuPont makes no warranties, express or implied, including, without limitation, no warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use and assume no liability in connection with any use of this information. This information is not intended as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any patent, trademark or technical information of DuPont or others covering any material or its use.
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Peracetic Acid (32%) 79-21-0 Liquid 272 >480 >480
> indicates greater than.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

...Tychem® ThermoPro, Tychem® Reflector® and Tychem® TK styles 600T/601T (with aluminized outer suit) garments are designed and tested to help reduce burn injury during escape from a flash fire. Users of Tychem® ThermoPro, Tychem® Reflector® and Tychem® TK styles 600T/601T (with aluminized outer suit) garments should not knowingly enter an explosive environment. Tychem® garments with attached socks must be worn inside protective outer footwear and are not suitable as outer footwear. These attached socks do not have adequate durability or slip resistance to be worn as the outer foot covering.

(DuPont, 2024)

First Aid
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Peracetic Acid Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute ingestion of peracetic acid may include corrosion of mucous membranes of mouth, throat, and esophagus with immediate pain and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing); ingestion may cause gastrointestinal tract irritation. Inhalation of vapors or fumes may result in respiratory tract irritation; peracetic acid is highly irritating to the skin and eyes.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to peracetic acid may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to peracetic acid.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to peracetic acid.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas THOROUGHLY with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. DO NOT induce vomiting or attempt to neutralize!
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Activated charcoal is of no value.
5. Give the victims water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.
6. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • C2H4O3
Flash Point: 105°F Peracetic Acid, 60% Acetic Acid Solution (EPA, 1998)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: 392°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -22 to 32°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.226 at 59°F (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 221°F at 760 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 76.05 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for Peracetic Acid (79-21-0)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 0.52 mg/m3 1.6 mg/m3 60 mg/m3
30 minutes 0.52 mg/m3 1.6 mg/m3 30 mg/m3
60 minutes 0.52 mg/m3 1.6 mg/m3 15 mg/m3
4 hours 0.52 mg/m3 1.6 mg/m3 6.3 mg/m3
8 hours 0.52 mg/m3 1.6 mg/m3 4.1 mg/m3
(NAC/NRC, 2024)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Peracetic acid (79-21-0) 0.52 mg/m3 1.6 mg/m3 15 mg/m3
(DOE, 2024)

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Ethaneperoxoic acid 79-21-0 500 pounds 500 pounds X 10000 pounds
Peracetic acid 79-21-0 500 pounds 500 pounds 313 10000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2024)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Peracetic acid; [Ethaneperoxic acid] 79-21-0 1.00 % 10000 pounds flammable

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Peracetic Acid (concentration >60% Acetic Acid; also called Peroxyacetic Acid) 79-21-0 1000 pounds
Peroxyacetic Acid (concentration >60% Acetic Acid; also called Peracetic Acid) 79-21-0 1000 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
  • ACETIC PEROXIDE
  • ACETYL HYDROPEROXIDE
  • DESOXON 1
  • ESTOSTERIL
  • ETHANEPEROXOIC ACID
  • HYDROPEROXIDE, ACETYL
  • MONOPERACETIC ACID
  • OSBON AC
  • OXYPEL
  • PERACETIC ACID
  • PERETHANOIC ACID
  • PEROXOACETIC ACID
  • PEROXYACETIC ACID
  • PROXITANE 12A
  • PROXITANE 1507
  • PROXITANE 4002
  • PROXITANE S

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