| Chemical Properties | White or slightly yellow, amorphous, light powder. |
| Chemical Properties | Magnesium peroxide is a white, odorless
crystalline solid. |
| Uses | Magnesium peroxide is used mainly in medicine for treating hyperacidity in the gastric intestinal tract, and in the treatment of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and ketonuria. It is also used in the preparation of toothpaste and antiseptic ointments. All of these uses involve a mixture of magnesium peroxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, and an admixture of magnesium carbonate. Magnesium peroxide is also used in bleaching and agricultural applications. |
| Uses | Bleaching and oxidizing agent, medicine
(antacid). |
| General Description | A white powder. Noncombustible but accelerates the burning of combustible material, if the combustible material is finely divided the mixture may be explosive. Mixtures of combustible material and the peroxide can be ignited by friction or contact with moisture. Used in medicine, and as a bleaching agent. |
| Air & Water Reactions | Insoluble in water and slowly decomposed by water, liberating oxygen. |
| Reactivity Profile | Mixtures of combustible material and the peroxide can be ignited with friction or moisture [AAR 1991]. Water gradually decomposes Magnesium dioxide liberating oxygen, with dilute acids Magnesium dioxide forms hydrogen peroxide, when strongly heated Magnesium dioxide losses all peroxide oxygen [Merck 11th ed. 1989]. |
| Hazard | Powerful oxidizer and dangerous fire risk,
reacts with acidic materials and moisture. |
| Health Hazard | Inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution. |
| Fire Hazard | These substances will accelerate burning when involved in a fire. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May explode from heat or contamination. Some will react explosively with hydrocarbons (fuels). May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. |
| Safety Profile | A powerful oxidizer.
Probably a severe irritant to the eyes, skin,
and mucous membranes. Flammable by
chemical reaction with acidic materials and
moisture; an oxidizing agent. Dangerous;
reacts vigorously with reducing agents; will
decompose violently in or near a fire. See
also MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS and
PEROXIDES, INORGANIC. |
| Potential Exposure | Magnesium peroxide is used as a
bleaching and oxidizing agent, and in the manufacture of
antacids and antiinfective drugs. |
| Shipping | UN1476 Magnesium peroxide, Hazard Class:
5.1; Labels: 5.1-Oxidizer. |
| Incompatibilities | Powerful oxidizer. Dangerous fire risk
with flammable and combustible materials. Violent reaction
with acids. Keep away from moisture; causes the release of
oxygen and heat. |
