This is very pertinent information for the eventual apocalypse, so I’ll know to prepare by tracking down the nearest Hydrogen Peroxide storage facilities!
In: Chemistry
Pure hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) decomposes into water (H2O) and oxygen gas (O2). The reaction isn’t caused by air, it actually happens in the presence of light (hence why it’s sold in dark bottles). Since it’s just pure water and oxygen, it would theoretically be safe to drink.
However there are a few problems with your plan. First, hydrogen peroxide is not stable even when stored in ideal conditions, and the kind you buy at the drugstore is strongly diluted with water. Hydrogen peroxide is commercially available in concentrations up to around 70% (if you managed to find a chemical lab or something in the post-apocalypse) but this presents a problem: when pure, this solution is relatively stable (but still produces enough O2 gas that it can’t be stored in a sealed container) but if it becomes contaminated with certain salts or organic materials, it will decompose very quickly in an exothermic reaction, and can reach over 200 degrees C. Once upon a time, high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide were used to fuel rockets.
Also, most commercial hydrogen peroxide is cut with other chemicals to stabilize it and slow its rate of decomposition. There seems to be quite a few chemicals to choose from, and not all of them are safe. One common stabilizer is acetanilide. In the human body, this is metabolized into paracetamol AKA acetaminophen AKA Tylenol, which is toxic in large enough quantities.
If doomsday prepping is your thing then you are better off “bunkering” down. Get a distiller with water minerals to mix in. Get a sophisticated filtration system.
Hydrogen peroxide slowly splits into water and oxygen gas when exposed to anything that can start the reaction. Even an imperfection in the bottle can speed up the reaction. Bottles of peroxide usually have a small hole at the cap to allow oxygen gas to escape. It is a slow process (45-60) days once the reaction starts. The product is pure or distilled water (unless something was added to the hydrogen peroxide). It’s drinkable but it won’t contain any ions or salts that your body needs.
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