Peroxide in Water - DIY Test

How Do You Test for Peroxide in Your Water?

This test strip is extremely easy to use.

Take a test strip and dip it into the water	After the specified time, compare the strip's color with the scale on the back of the box.

The result scale is as follows  <0.5; 2; 10; 25; 50; 100 mg/L (or ppm).

Testing for Peroxide in Water*

Sources of Peroxide in Water

You are familiar with hydrogen peroxide even if you don't realize it: it is the peroxide solution used as an antiseptic, a product with strong oxidizing properties that kill bacteria, viruses, and spores.

Hydrogen peroxide is used to disinfect swimming pools and cooling towers, as well as a bleaching agent and disinfectant in the pharmaceutical and food industries, metallurgy, and the electronics industry. It is also an ingredient in hair coloring products.

Standards for Peroxide in Water**

Solutions containing up to 3% hydrogen peroxide (10-volume pharmaceutical hydrogen peroxide solution) are commonly used, particularly for therapeutic applications on the skin and mucous membranes. Irritating effects begin to appear at 6%.

Effects of Peroxide on the Body

  
Hydrogen peroxide is harmful if swallowed or inhaled. It can cause severe skin and eye damage and irritation of the digestive and respiratory mucous membranes. Repeated exposure may cause abnormal skin discoloration and hair bleaching. 

* This paragraph is based in part on the WHO report “Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality”. 

**A guideline value is a reference value provided by the WHO.