Peracetic acid

Explosiveness

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

explosive properties of explosives

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EU Method A.14 (Explosive properties)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes

Key result

Parameter:

other: thermal sensitivity

Remarks:

test not specified

Remarks on result:

not thermal sensitive if heated under defined confinement

Key result

Parameter:

sensitiveness to friction: friction load (N)

Remarks on result:

not measured/tested

Remarks:

The test is not performed with liquid samples.

Key result

Parameter:

sensitiveness to impact: impact energy (J)

Remarks on result:

not sensitive to impact using an impact energy of 40 J

Mechanical shock sensitivity

None of the six single tests with an impact energy of 40 J showed any sparking or exploding. Therefore the series with an impact energy of 7.5 J was not necessary. No impact sensitivity of the test item was observed.

 

Mechanical friction sensitivity

The test is not performed with liquid samples.

 

Thermal sensitivity

After 25 s - 26 s (at 2 mm orifice) and 27 s - 29 s (at 6 mm orifice) in all single tests the start of a weak reaction was observed manifested by the forming of an orange coloured flame above the orifice hole. Visible discharge of liquid test substance for 30 s - 32 s (at 2 mm orifice) and 38 s - 40 s (at 6 mm orifice) effected also orange colouring of the gas flames. After about 80 s (over-all time) the steel tubes became red glowing. No further observation was made until the burners were turned off after 5 minutes. After cooling down all the tubes were unchanged. No thermal sensitivity of the test item induced by heating under defined confinement was observed.

Interpretation of results:

GHS criteria not met

Conclusions:

Not explosive: no mechanical and thermal sensitivity

Executive summary:

The test item has no explosive properties at all (no mechanical sensitivity and no thermal sensitivity) according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP).

Reference 2

Endpoint:

explosive properties of explosives

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Peer reviewed data

Qualifier:

no guideline available

Principles of method if other than guideline:

No guideline available at the time.

GLP compliance:

no

Test series:

other: see Results

Method:

other: see Results

Parameter:

other: see Results

Result:

other: see Remarks

Remarks:

Aqueous solutions of peracetic acid are not explosive. However, the decomposition of peracetic acid can be strongly exothermic, liberating large volumes of oxygen gas.

Remarks on result:

other: see Remarks

Remarks:

Decomposition can be initiated by high temperatures, high pH and contamination with metal catalysts such as copper, iron and chromium and incompatible organic materials. The decomposition can result in a pressure burst.

PAA is insensitive to impact, but explodes violently when heated to 110 °C. It is also reported that frozen concentrated PAA at -20 °C exploded readily by friction.

Conclusions:

Aqueous solutions of peracetic acid are not explosive. However, the decomposition of peracetic acid can be strongly exothermic, liberating large volumes of oxygen gas. Decomposition can be initiated by high temperatures, high pH and contamination with metal catalysts such as copper, iron and chromium and incompatible organic materials. The decomposition can result in a pressure burst.

Executive summary:

Pure peracetic acid is reported to be insensitive to impact, but explodes violently when heated to 110 °C. It is reported that frozen concentrated peracetic acid at : - 20 °C is very dangerous and explodes readily by friction.

 

Peracetic acid vapour shows explosive decomposition readily at low pressure in a quartz vessel in the region from 240 °C at 24 mm Hg to 360 °C at I mm Hg.

Reference 3

Endpoint:

explosive properties of explosives

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

weight of evidence

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EU Method A.14 (Explosive properties)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes

Key result

Parameter:

sensitiveness to friction: friction load (N)

Remarks on result:

not measured/tested

Remarks:

The test is not performed with liquid samples.

Key result

Parameter:

other: thermal sensitivity

Remarks:

test not specified

Remarks on result:

not thermal sensitive if heated under defined confinement

Key result

Parameter:

sensitiveness to impact: impact energy (J)

Remarks on result:

not sensitive to impact using an impact energy of 40 J

Mechanical shock sensitivity

None of the six single tests with an impact energy of 40 J showed any sparking or exploding. Therefore the series with an impact energy of 7.5 J was not necessary. No impact sensitivity of the test item was observed.

Mechanical friction sensitivity

The test is not performed with liquid samples.

Thermal sensitivity

After 25 s - 26 s (at 2 mm orifice) and 27 s - 29 s (at 6 mm orifice) in all single tests the start of a weak reaction was observed manifested by the forming of an orange coloured flame above the orifice hole. Visible discharge of liquid test substance for 30 s - 32 s (at 2 mm orifice) and 38 s - 40 s (at 6 mm orifice) effected also orange colouring of the gas flames. After about 80 s (over-all time) the steel tubes became red glowing. No further observation was made until the burners were turned off after 5 minutes. After cooling down all the tubes were unchanged. No thermals sensitivity of the test item induced by heating under defined confinement was observed.

Interpretation of results:

GHS criteria not met

Conclusions:

Not explosive: no mechanical and thermal sensitivity.

Executive summary:

The test item has no explosive properties at all (no mechanical sensitivity and no thermal sensitivity) according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP).

Description of key information

Explosiveness: non explosive

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Explosiveness:

non explosive

Additional information

Decomposition of peracetic acid can be initiated by high temperatures, high pH and contamination with metal catalysts such as copper, iron, and chromium, and incompatible organic materials. The decomposition of peracetic acid is strongly exothermic, liberating large volume of oxygen gas. The tested peracetic acid products with 5% and 15% were not explosive as they exhibited no mechanical or thermal sensitivity (Mekelburger, 2007). In literature, it is reported that peracetic acid (highly concentrated) is insensitive to impact, but explodes violently when heated to 110 °C (Swern,. 1970). It is also reported that frozen concentrated peracetic acid exploded readily by friction at -20 °C. Based on the available data the test item has no explosive properties.

Justification for classification or non-classification

Classification, Labelling, and Packaging Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008

Based on the available data and taking into account the provisions laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), as amended for the seventeenth time in Regulation (EU) 2021/849, and UN GHS Rev 8 (2019) the test item has not to be classified with respect to explosiveness.