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Organic Peroxide Formers Storage and Handling Checklist

Last updated September 1, 2009 1:31:08 PM PDT
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Learn about chemicals subject to organic peroxide formation, and how to safely handle and store them.

Organic peroxides are powerful explosives, sensitive to oxygen, heat, friction, impact, light, and strong oxidizing and reducing agents. The unusual stability problems of this class of compounds make them among the most hazardous substances found in most laboratories.

Risks

The risk associated with peroxide increases if the peroxide crystalizes or becomes concentrated by evaporation or distillation. Peroxide-forming materials react with oxygen — even at low concentrations — to form peroxy compounds. Peroxide crystals may form on the container plug or the threads of the lid and detonate when the lid is twisted.

Storage and handling

Storage and handling of peroxide-forming materials requires careful labeling, observation, and testing to guard against and recognize the formation of dangerous organic peroxides.

If your chemical inventory includes peroxide formers, follow these guidelines:

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Identify organic peroxide formers in your chemical inventory.

  • Be aware that the following classes of chemicals include materials that form organic peroxides over time:
    • Aldehydes
    • Compounds containing benzylic hydrogen atoms (particularly if the hydrogens are on tertiary carbon atoms)
    • Compounds containing the allylic structure, including most alkenes
    • Ethers (especially cyclic ethers and those containing primary and secondary alcohol groups)
    • Vinyl and vinylidene compounds
  • Check your inventory against Common Laboratory Chemicals That Form Organic Peroxides.

Store chemicals safely.

Follow basic Chemical Storage and Inventory Guidelines.

Label peroxide formers.

Chemicals that degrade over time require extra labeling information.

  • Tag peroxide formers to make them easily identifiable.
  • Include this required labeling information on peroxide formers:
    • Date received
    • Date opened
    • Date tested (contact the chemical safety officer for testing methods and applicability)
  • Label refillable dispensing containers holding peroxide formers with the fill date.

Note: Synthesized material or other laboratory specific operations may present unique circumstances. Contact the chemical safety officer if you have questions.

Monitor inventory expiration dates.

  • Review your inventory frequently (including refillable containers) to prevent peroxide formers from reaching the manufacturer's expiration date.
  • Purchase quantities you expect to use within 6 months to 1 year.

Contact EH&S if you discover expired or old peroxide-forming materials.

  • If you find a peroxide-forming material past its expiration date, or more than 1 year past its receipt date, don't open or move the container.
    • Request a hazardous waste collection promptly.
    • Label the container to prevent use until Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) collects it.
  • If the material is very old or shows evidence of conversion to a hazardous status (e.g., crystalline materials in or under the cap of ethers), don't open or move the container.
    • Contact EH&S immediately at (858) 534-3660 or 534-2753.

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For more information, contact an EH&S Research Assistance Program specialist.

Notice: Disposal of hazardous waste using sinks, intentional evaporation, or as regular trash is against the law. Campus laboratories must abide by strict state and federal waste disposal requirements. You may be held liable for violations of applicable laws.