Magnesium Peroxide: Product Safety Summary

Product Safety Summary
Magnesium Peroxide
CAS No. 1335-26-8
This Product Safety Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the chemical substance.
The information on the summary is basic information and is not intended to provide emergency
response information, medical information or treatment information. The summary should not be
used to provide in-depth safety and health information. In-depth safety and health information can
be found on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the chemical substance.
Names
• Magnesium peroxide
• Magnesium dioxide
• Magnesium superoxide
Product Overview
Solvay Chemicals, Inc. does not sell magnesium peroxide directly to consumers. Most
magnesium peroxide is used as a destruction agent for polymers employed in the extraction of
shale gas. Afterwards, the product decomposes to form magnesium hydroxide, a naturally occurring
compound found in many soils. Consumers are not exposed to magnesium peroxide in this
application.
Magnesium peroxide is a solid chemical used as a source of oxygen. When placed in water,
magnesium peroxide slowly produces oxygen by decomposing. Magnesium peroxide is a white
granular or powdered solid material.
Exposure to magnesium peroxide can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.
Ingestion should be avoided at all concentrations.
Magnesium peroxide is not persistent in the environment and very slowly decomposes to form
magnesium hydroxide and oxygen.
Manufacture of Product
 Magnesium peroxide is made by mixing magnesium oxide with hydrogen peroxide, then drying
to form a powder which can be granulated.
MgO + H2O2 → MgO2 + H2O
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Copyright 2011-2013, Solvay America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 Magnesium peroxide naturally decomposes, very slowly, to form magnesium hydroxide, and
oxygen.
2MgO2 + 2H2O → 2Mg(OH)2 + O2
or
MgO2 + 2H2O → Mg(OH)2 + H2O2
2H2O2 → 2H2O + O2
 Solvay Chemicals, Inc. imports magnesium peroxide which is manufactured by affiliated Solvay
companies outside of North America.
Product Description
Magnesium peroxide is manufactured and sold as a white, odorless powder or granules. Typical
physical properties are provided in Table 1.
Table 1: Typical physical properties for Magnesium Peroxide
Decomposition Temperature > 662ºF (350ºC)

40.5 lbs./ft3
Bulk Density
(650 kg/m3 )
Flash Point Non- flammable
Solubility in Water 86 mg/L @ 64ºF (18ºC)
10.3
pH
(1% aqueous suspension)
Product Uses
The majority of magnesium peroxide exported to the United States is used in the hydraulic
fracturing process used to extract natural gas from shale. A small amount may also be used for soil
bioremediation (to decontaminate soil).
Exposure Potential
 Workplace Exposure - Exposures can occur at a magnesium peroxide manufacturing facility or

a manufacturing, packaging or storage facility that handles the product. Exposure may also
occur in the event of a transportation incident. Persons involved in maintenance, sampling and
testing activities, or in the loading and unloading of magnesium peroxide containers are at
greater risk of exposure. Following good industrial hygiene practices will minimize the likelihood
of exposure; however, persons involved in higher risk activities should always wear proper
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personal protective equipment such as protective gloves, goggles and a hard hat. In instances
where the potential for dusting is high, proper respiratory protection should also be worn.
 Consumer Exposure to Products Containing Magnesium Peroxide - Solvay Chemicals, Inc.

does not sell magnesium peroxide directly to consumers. The user should always use any
products which contain magnesium peroxide in strict compliance with the manufacturer’s use
and/or label instructions.
 Environmental Releases - Spills of magnesium peroxide should be contained and isolated

from waterways, sewer drains, and any flammable or combustible materials. Small spills should
be swept up and placed in a compatible container. Never replace any spilled or contaminated
magnesium peroxide back in the original container. Any remaining residues should be diluted
with large amounts of water. Dispose of waste, rinsate or residues in accordance with applicable
local, state or federal regulations. Do not use adsorbents to soak up magnesium peroxide
washings. Absorbents and adsorbents may contain chemicals that can react with magnesium
peroxide. Rinse magnesium peroxide contaminated combustibles such as cloth or paper towels
with water until they are free of residual magnesium peroxide. Persons attempting to clean up
magnesium peroxide spills should wear proper personal protective equipment (see guidelines in
Workplace Exposure section of this document or Safety Data Sheet).
 Fires - Fires involving magnesium peroxide should be extinguished with large amounts of water.
Containers of magnesium peroxide involved in a fire should be cooled with water sprays taking
care not to contaminate the contents inside with water. Wet or damp magnesium peroxide may
start to decompose and release heat causing any nearby combustibles to catch fire. If a
container of magnesium peroxide begins to discolor or vent violently, emergency responders
should evacuate the area.
For additional information concerning magnesium peroxide emergency response procedures,

please consult the Safety Data Sheet.
Health Information
Exposure may pose a risk of symptoms due to skin or inhalation irritation. Magnesium peroxide can
produce the following adverse health affects:
 Contact - Skin exposure can cause symptoms ranging from minor skin irritation or itching to
redness and swelling. Eye exposure to magnesium peroxide may result in severe eye irritation,
lachrymation (tearing) and swelling.
 Inhalation - The inhalation of magnesium peroxide dusts can cause nose and throat irritation or
coughing. Repeated or prolonged exposures may cause shortness of breath and tightness of
the chest.
 Ingestion - The ingestion of magnesium peroxide may cause bloating, belching, irritation of the
mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
 Other Effects - The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has not classified
magnesium peroxide as a carcinogen (cancer causing).
Page 3 of 5

For more information on health effects and routes of exposure, or for information concerning proper
first aid measures, please consult the Safety Data Sheet.
Environmental Information
Magnesium peroxide does not naturally occur in the environment.
Magnesium peroxide is not known to bioaccumulate or persist in the environment for a prolonged
time. The degradation products of magnesium peroxide are magnesium hydroxide and oxygen. For
more ecological and environmental information concerning this product, please consult the Safety
Data Sheet.
Physical Hazard Information
Magnesium peroxide is a weak oxidizer and will support combustion. Magnesium peroxide can
cause fires when left in contact with combustible materials such as paper, wood or cloth, especially
if wet or damp.
Exposure of magnesium peroxide to impurities such as strong acids, bases, and transition metals
(copper, manganese, chromium, etc.) and their salts can cause magnesium peroxide
decomposition. Magnesium peroxide decomposition will result in the liberation of heat and oxygen
gas. Systems used to store or transport magnesium peroxide must be properly vented and must
have enough emergency venting capacity to allow the contents of the system to withstand a
catastrophic decomposition event.
For more information concerning the physical hazards of this product, please consult the Safety
Data Sheet. For information concerning the proper design of magnesium peroxide systems, please
contact Solvay Chemicals, Inc.
Regulatory Information
Regulations may exist that govern the manufacture, sale, transportation, use and/or disposal of this
chemical. These regulations can vary by city, state, country or geographic region. Information may
be found by consulting the relevant Safety Data Sheet specific to your country or region.
Page 4 of 5

Additional Information
 Solvay America, Inc. www.solvaynorthamerica.com
 Solvay Chemicals, Inc. www.solvaychemicals.us
 Solvay Chemicals, Inc. Safety Data Sheets

www.solvaychemicals.us/EN/Literature/LiteratureDocuments.aspx
 Contact Solvay Chemicals, Inc. [email protected]
 This summary was prepared in February, 2011

This summary was revised in September, 2013
NOTICE
To our actual knowledge, the information contained herein is accurate as of the date of this
document. However, neither Solvay America, Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any warranty,
express or implied, or accepts any liability in connection with this information or its use. This
information is for use by persons at their own discretion and risk and does not relate to use of this
product in combination with any other substance or any other process. This is not a license under
any patent or other proprietary right. The user alone must finally determine suitability of any
information or material for any contemplated use in compliance with applicable law, the manner of
use and whether any patents are infringed. This information gives typical properties only and is not
to be used for specification purposes. Solvay America, Inc. reserves the right to make additions,
deletions or modifications to the information at any time without prior notification. Trademarks
and/or other products of the company referenced herein are either trademarks or registered
trademarks of the company mentioned or its affiliates, unless otherwise indicated.
Page 5 of 5

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Product Safety Summary

MgO + H2O2 → MgO2 + H2O

Copyright 2011-2013, Solvay America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

2MgO2 + 2H2O → 2Mg(OH)2 + O2

MgO2 + 2H2O → Mg(OH)2 + H2O2

Table 1: Typical physical properties for Magnesium Peroxide

Decomposition Temperature > 662ºF (350ºC)

 Workplace Exposure - Exposures can occur at a magnesium peroxide manufacturing facility or

Copyright 2011-2013, Solvay America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 Consumer Exposure to Products Containing Magnesium Peroxide - Solvay Chemicals, Inc.

 Environmental Releases - Spills of magnesium peroxide should be contained and isolated

For additional information concerning magnesium peroxide emergency response procedures,

Copyright 2011-2013, Solvay America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Magnesium peroxide does not naturally occur in the environment.

Physical Hazard Information

Copyright 2011-2013, Solvay America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 Solvay America, Inc. www.solvaynorthamerica.com

 Solvay Chemicals, Inc. www.solvaychemicals.us

 Solvay Chemicals, Inc. Safety Data Sheets

 Contact Solvay Chemicals, Inc. [email protected]

 This summary was prepared in February, 2011

Copyright 2011-2013, Solvay America, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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