Hydrogen Peroxide:
Health Risks concerning
Teeth Whitening
Hydrogen Peroxide based teeth whitening products have recently received bad press
concerning its risk to safety. The legal limit for Hydrogen Peroxide concentration at this
precise moment is 0.1%, though there are proposals to increase this to 6%. This report
summarises some of the issues relating to its effects as a carcinogenic and as a tumour
promoter. This has raised serious concerns by numerous scientific bodies and the dental
community.
As a result, Smile Spa no longer offers Hydrogen Peroxide as an In-Chair Teeth Whitening
solution. Smile Spa has adopted a new alternative tooth whitener based on Chlorine
Dioxide. Chlorine Dioxide can outperform Hydrogen Peroxide and does not have the
problems commonly associated with Hydrogen Peroxide.
September 2006
Smile Spa offers the only viable alternative to Hydrogen Peroxide through its Chlorine Dioxide formulation.
Information correct at time of going to print. Smile Spa reserves the right to modify
the content of this document at anytime without notice.
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 1
Table of Contents and Summary Overview
Page Summary Overview
3 Hydrogen Peroxide legal limit is 0.1%. Serious health risks associated with
concentrations > 0.1%. May cause severe tooth decay, be carcinogenic and damage
human DNA
5 Hydrogen Peroxide may increase risk of oral cancer. Hydrogen Peroxide should only be
used under the surveillance of a dentist
6 16-month-old boy killed by consuming Hydrogen Peroxide at 3% concentration
7 Carbamide Peroxide causes increased tooth porosity
8 Carbamide Peroxide based tooth whitening products have altered enamel surfaces,
including shallow depression, increased porosity and increased erosion
9 65% of patients report tooth sensitivity using Hydrogen Peroxide
10 Hydrogen Peroxide has a weak potential to induce carcinogenic effects as a complete
carcinogenic and as a tumour promoter
11 Hydrogen Peroxide is possible carcinogenic
12 Hydrogen Peroxide is highly reactive substance that can damage oral exposures of
prolonged duration
14 Splashes of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution into the eyes is potentially serious
16 Toxicology of Hydrogen Peroxide at 30%: Toxic, Corrosive ?can cause serious burns. If
eye contact could possibly cause blindness
17 Hydrogen Peroxide Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet
23 Smile Spa's Chlorine Dioxide Whitening gel contains 0.05% Chlorine Dioxide. Please
refer to Smile Spa's Chlorine Dioxide tooth whitening formula MSDS data sheets at the
end of this report for specific information
28 Smile Spa's Chlorine Dioxide Tooth Whitener specific MSDS data sheets: contains only
0.05% Chlorine Dioxide
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 2
Summary
Hydrogen Peroxide legal limit is
0.1%. Serious health risks
associated with concentrations
> 0.1%. May cause severe
tooth decay, be carcinogenic
and damage human DNA
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 3
This entire document is available
for download from the EC website.
Simply google the title.
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 4
Summary
Hydrogen Peroxide may increase risk of oral
cancer. Hydrogen Peroxide should only be
used under the surveillance of a dentist
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 5
Summary
16-month-old boy killed by consuming
Hydrogen Peroxide at 3% concentration
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 6
Summary
Peroxide causes increased tooth porosity
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 7
Summary
Peroxide based tooth whitening products
have altered enamel surfaces, including
shallow depression, increased porosity and
increased erosion
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 8
Summary
65% of patients report tooth sensitivity using
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 9
Summary
Hydrogen Peroxide has a weak potential to
induce carcinogenic effects as a complete
carcinogenic and as a tumour promoter
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 10
Summary
Hydrogen Peroxide is a
possible carcinogenic
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 11
Summary
Hydrogen Peroxide is highly reactive
substance that can damage oral exposures
of prolonged duration
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 12
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 13
Summary
Splashes of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution
into the eyes is potentially serious
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 14
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 15
Summary
Toxicology of Hydrogen Peroxide at 30%:
Toxic, Corrosive ?can cause serious burns.
If eye contact could possibly cause
blindness
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 16
Summary
Hydrogen Peroxide Hazardous Substance
Fact Sheet
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 17
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 18
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 19
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 20
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 21
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 22
Summary
Smile Spa's Chlorine Dioxide Whitening gel contains
0.05% Chlorine Dioxide. Please refer to Smile Spa's
Chlorine Dioxide tooth whitening formula MSDS data
sheets at the end of this report for specific information
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 23
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 24
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 25
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 26
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 27
Smile Spa Chlorine Dioxide Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
MSDS No. PROF TW-A+B-04 Page 1 of 2
Emergency Phone: +44-(0)845 603 6674
Date: 4/4/06
Section I ?Identification
Product: Professional Plus Tooth Whitening Gel ?1:1 Mixture of Part (A) + Part (B)
Synonyms: Sodium chlorite, chlorous acid, chlorine dioxide, phosphoric acid.
Chemical: Oxidant.
CAS No.: 7758-19-2 (sodium chlorite) 0.50 %
CAS No.: 10049-04-4 (chlorine dioxide) 0.05 %
CAS No.: 7664-38-2 (phosphoric acid) 2.80%
Inert ingredients 96.60 %
Section II ?Hazardous Ingredients
Not Applicable (NA)
Section III ?Physical Data
Boiling Point at 1 ATM.: NA
Evaporation Rate: NA
Vapor Pressure: NA
Specific Gravity: NA
Viscosity: 65,000
Vapor Density (AIR): NA
pH @ 25癈: 3.0 ?0.1
Appearance: white ?yellowish gel, turns bright yellow within about 5 minutes
Water Solubility: Partial
Section IV ?Fire & Explosion Data
Flash Point & Method: NA
Auto Ignition Temp: NA
Flammability Limit (AIR): NA
Special Fire-Fighting procedure: None
Extinguishing Media: The solution will not burn. Use water to cool fire-exposed containers
Unusual Fire Explosion Hazard: None
Section V ?Reactivity Data
Liberation of ClO2 gas: When Parts A and B are mixed, chlorine dioxide is generated. The
concentration of chlorine dioxide will increase over a ten-minute time span.
Stability: In general, chlorine dioxide is unstable and will evaporate over time. The rate of gas-off
is determined by the surface area and the temperature of the gel. If kept in a closed environment,
the chlorine dioxide will be maintained for longer periods of time.
Condition to Avoid: Temperature exceeding 120癋 (49癈).
Summary
Smile Spa's Chlorine Dioxide Tooth
Whitener specific MSDS data sheets:
contains only 0.05% Chlorine Dioxide
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 28
MSDS No. PROF TW-A+B-04 Page 2 of 2
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Excessive levels of chlorine dioxide gas may be
generated if large quantities are combined with bleach or strong acids.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur
Section VI ?Health Hazard Information
Threshold limit Value (TLV): NA
Effects of Overexposure: NA
Eye Contact: Flush immediately with water. Get medical attention, if irritation persists.
Skin Contact: Highly unlikely to be absorbed through skin in toxic amounts. Acute Dermal LD50
> 2,020 mg/kg (sodium chlorite). Acute dermal rat LD50 >2,000 mg/kg (chorine
dioxide). Wash with water if irritation occurs.
Inhalation: Not a concern under normal use conditions. Continuous exposure to high levels
of chlorine dioxide gas can be irritating or hazardous. If strong odor or mucous
membrane irritation is noted, move away from the area into fresh air.
Ingestion: Rat Oral LD50 4360mg/kg (sodium chlorite). Rat Oral LD50 males 2.25 g/kg,
females 0.78 g/ kg (chlorine dioxide). Ingestion in large quantities may produce
gastric discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Give milk or water to drink.
Do not induce vomiting.
Section VII ?Spill, Leak, and Disposal Procedures
Spill, Leaks: (Steps to be taken) Flush spills with water.
Wastes Disposal Method: Dilute with water and flush down drain.
Section VIII ?Special Protection Information
Respiratory Protection: (Specify Type) Unnecessary
Ventilation: Open air or good room ventilation is adequate for safe use of this product. Leave
area for a few minutes if excessive level of chlorine dioxide gas is generated
should the product be exposed to bleach or strong acids.
Protective Gloves: Not required
Eye Protection: Avoid contact with eyes.
Other Protective Equipment: None
Section IX ?Special Precautions and Comments
Storage & Handling Information: Store at room temperature. Parts A and B should only be
mixed at the time of use. Keep out of direct sunlight.
Other Precautions: None Required
Judgments as to the suitability of information herein for purchase purposes are necessarily
purchaser's responsibility. Therefore, although reasonable care has been taken in preparation of
such information, Smile Spa extends no warranties, makes no representations and assumes no
responsibility as to accuracy or suitability of such information for application to purchaser's
intended purpose of or consequences of its use. Disposal of hazardous materials may be subject
to laws or regulations.
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 29
References
Tooth Whitening Products (TWP) legislation under attack, Dentistry News Magazine, 14
September 2006;
Opinion on Hydrogen Peroxide in Tooth Whitening Products, Scientific Committee on Consumer
Products, European Commission Report #SCCP/0844/04, March 2005;
Hydrogen Peroxide tooth-whitening (bleaching) products: review of adverse effects and safety
issues, Tredwin CJ, Naik S, Lewis NJ, Scully C, National Library of Medicine and the National
Institutes of Health;
Hydrogen Peroxide tooth-whitening (bleaching): review of safety in relation to possible
carcinargesis, Naik S, Tredwin CJ, Scully C, National Library of Medicine and the National
Institutes of Health;
Chemical Safety Data: 3 % Hydrogen Peroxide, Hands-on Science (H-Sci) Project: Chemical
Safety Database;
Safety (MSDS) data for Hydrogen Peroxide: 30% solution, Hands-on Science (H-Sci) Project:
Chemical Safety Database;
Hydrogen Peroxide, Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet, New Jersey Department of Health and
Senior Services, CAS No. 7722-84-1;
Chlorine Dioxide, Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet, New Jersey Department of Health and
Senior Services, CAS No. 10049-04-4.
Hydrogen Peroxide Health Risks; September 2006 Page 30
|