Hydrogen peroxide is a risk factor for occupational chemical poisoning

摘要

To the Editor: Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidant, which is commonly used as a disinfectant mainly in medical and chemical workplaces. Hydrogen peroxide poisoning causes brain infarction, and ingestion of hydrogen peroxide injures the upper gastrointestinal tract.[1] Besides, food poisoning is often caused due to hydrogen peroxide. A case has been reported in China that cerebral embolism was caused by oral hydrogen peroxide poisoning.[2] The first two cases of hydrogen peroxide poisoning caused by sterilization and disinfection in China are illustrated in this article. These two cases were caused by respiratory tract inhalation and skin contact with hydrogen peroxide in the workplace, indicating that hydrogen peroxide is a risk factor that causes occupational chemical poisoning. Therefore, it is suggested that medical institutions should strengthen their occupational health management. The collection, analysis, and release of data have been approved by the Ethics Committee of Ankang Center for Disease Control and Prevention (No. AKCDC-2020003).