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Have you ever noticed that hydrogen peroxide only seems to come in brown bottles? Photo by Jupiterimages/Getty ImagesWhen you mix two molecules of hydrogen with two molecules of oxygen, you get H2O2, commonly known as hydrogen peroxide. This compound, used in various industries like food processing, papermaking, textiles, and electronics, is a powerful disinfectant and bleaching agent. It's colorless and clear, and when applied to an open wound, it eliminates numerous microorganisms. Moreover, it remains stable — as long as it is stored correctly. This is why hydrogen peroxide is packaged in brown plastic bottles.
Here’s the reason: many chemical substances degrade over time, and hydrogen peroxide is no exception. While it is quite stable, exposure to light and heat can cause it to break down. The brown bottle acts as a protective shield against these two factors. The dark tint prevents light from reaching the peroxide, which helps prevent oxidation and an unwanted rise in temperature.
As hydrogen peroxide decomposes, it generates heat, which in turn speeds up the breakdown process. In fact, for every 10 degrees Celsius increase in temperature, the decomposition rate almost doubles. Additionally, if contaminants like dust, silver, lead, or other metals enter the solution, they can trigger a fire, even though the solution itself isn't explosive.
Hydrogen peroxide must be handled with care in industrial settings. If it’s stored in a closed system, such as a tank, and begins to break down, pressure may build up, potentially causing the tank or pipes to rupture. Fortunately, the bottle of peroxide you keep in your medicine cabinet contains only a 3% solution, which is much less potent than the 35% solution used in the food industry.
You’ll never find hydrogen peroxide in a clear glass bottle. This is because glass can contain dissolved alkali metal ions, which could react with the solution.
