Chemistry

I was fishing for a supposedly non toxic way of disinfecting pots and
pans and saw an article about someone using vinegar and hydrogen
peroxide in two spray bottle to disinfect vegetibles. I then read that
this mixture forms peracetic acid. Is it safe to use this mixture?

Dear chris mankeyh:

"chris mankeyh" <> wrote in message
news: om...
> I was fishing for a supposedly non toxic way of disinfecting pots and
> pans and saw an article about someone using vinegar and hydrogen
> peroxide in two spray bottle to disinfect vegetibles. I then read that
> this mixture forms peracetic acid. Is it safe to use this mixture?

AltaVista Advanced has 193 hits for:
"peracetic acid" and vegetables
especially...

"4. The effect of the substance on human health.
Peracetic acid is an irritant of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and
respiratory tract (NTP, 2000;
Budavari, 1996; Lenga, 1985). When heated to decomposition, it emits acrid
smoke and toxic fumes of
carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The vapor is heavier than air and can
travel a considerable distance
to a source of ignition and flash back (NTP, 2000).
While it is not rated as a carcinogen by itself (NTP, 2000), studies
indicate that it is a possible cocarcinogen,
promoting tumor production by known carcinogens (Bock, Myers, and Fox,
1976, from
abstract)."

It is effective and dangerous.

David A. Smith

> AltaVista Advanced has 193 hits for:
> "peracetic acid" and vegetables
> especially...
>
> "4. The effect of the substance on human health.
> Peracetic acid is an irritant of the skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and
> respiratory tract (NTP, 2000;
> Budavari, 1996; Lenga, 1985). When heated to decomposition, it emits acrid
> smoke and toxic fumes of
> carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The vapor is heavier than air and can
> travel a considerable distance
> to a source of ignition and flash back (NTP, 2000).
> While it is not rated as a carcinogen by itself (NTP, 2000), studies
> indicate that it is a possible cocarcinogen,
> promoting tumor production by known carcinogens (Bock, Myers, and Fox,
> 1976, from
> abstract)."
>
> It is effective and dangerous.

Concentrated peracetic acid is really tricky stuff. About 25 years ago
it was shipped in metal cans. At my alma mater a weirdo ordered 10
liters of the stuff and used less than one. The jerry can was stored
in a fridge for about 10 years. The lid started corroding and rust is
a catalyst for peroxides in general to dissociate... dissociate fast.
Nobody used the fridge anymore. It was forgotten til it broke and was
opened again. A few suicidal fellows wrapped the can in ice and very
carefully put it in a working fridge.
A few years later the explosives specialists from the fire dep.
brought the can out into a field and shot at it. I can still hear the
bang. Very very very nasty stuff.

But... if you mix it yourself with commercially available vinegar (ca.
5%) and peroxide (ca. 3%) none of the previous will be relevant. There
will be a bit of the peracetic acid very diluted in water/acetic
acid/peroxide, but as long as you have decent ventilation and don't
let it get on your skin or breathe it, it should not be a problem. And
after a few hours it will be "dead" anyway.

(chris mankeyh) wrote in message news:< com>...
> I was fishing for a supposedly non toxic way of disinfecting pots and
> pans and saw an article about someone using vinegar and hydrogen
> peroxide in two spray bottle to disinfect vegetibles. I then read that
> this mixture forms peracetic acid. Is it safe to use this mixture?


with isosafrole?

NO thats performic duhhhhhhh every good chemist knows that.

"Muhammar" <> wrote in message
news: om...
> (chris mankeyh) wrote in message
news:< com>...
> > I was fishing for a supposedly non toxic way of disinfecting pots and
> > pans and saw an article about someone using vinegar and hydrogen
> > peroxide in two spray bottle to disinfect vegetibles. I then read that
> > this mixture forms peracetic acid. Is it safe to use this mixture?
>
>
> with isosafrole?
>

peracetic acid is manufactured using concentrated peroxide and glacial
acetic acid. They are mixed together and allowed to react for weeks to
achieve a high concentration. mixing dilute 3% peroxide with acetic acid
will not make any appreciable amount of peracetic.

You might as well simply use straight peroxide because all your doing is
making your peroxide

"chris mankeyh" <> wrote in message
news: om...
> I was fishing for a supposedly non toxic way of disinfecting pots and
> pans and saw an article about someone using vinegar and hydrogen
> peroxide in two spray bottle to disinfect vegetibles. I then read that
> this mixture forms peracetic acid. Is it safe to use this mixture?
>