STERIS Life Sciences response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

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 Ask an expertContact
Understanding H2O2 For Vaporized Hydrogen
Peroxide (VHP)
January 24, 2020 Technical Tip

 #Disinfectants and Validation

 #Sterilization
 #Pharmaceutical Equipment and Cleaning
 #Cleanroom Microbial Control

When deciding to purchase your first hydrogen peroxide vapor biodecontamination

equipment, there are many factors to consider. One of these factors involves the
type and grade of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) you will use as a sterilant. Hydrogen
peroxide comes in varying concentrations and within each concentration there are
different grades. They are not all created the same nor will they perform the same
and choosing the wrong hydrogen peroxide for your application and equipment can
cause damage and affect the efficacy of your biodecontamination cycles.

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Concentrations and Grades

Hydrogen peroxide is available in concentrations ranging from 3% to 98% H2O2. The

oxidation potential of hydrogen peroxide is slightly below that of ozone and slightly
above that of chlorine dioxide. Due to its strong oxidation potential, this is what
makes hydrogen peroxide an excellent sterilant. Generally, vaporized hydrogen
peroxide biodecontaminaton equipment uses concentrations of 31% or higher.
Commercially, 31%, 35%, 50% and 70% are typically used. At these concentrations,
there are essentially three grades of hydrogen peroxide: technical, semi-conductor
and food grade. The major difference in these hydrogen peroxide grades is the
stabilizer formulation used. As a general rule of thumb, technical grade is more
stabilized than food grade which is more stabilized than semi-conductor grade. This
is important to consider when choosing the hydrogen peroxide formulation you will
use for your equipment and application.

Application and Equipment Requirements

In certain instances, the application or intended use of the product dictates the type
of hydrogen peroxide that must be selected. Technical grades are typically used as a
liquid while food and semi-conductor grades are used either as a liquid or vapor.
Additionally, when dealing with food and beverage applications, certain regulatory
requirements may specify certain grades and levels of acceptable residuals.

Generally, food and semi-conductor grades are recommended for use in hydrogen
peroxide vapor equipment due to their lower stabilizer levels than technical grade.
Using the wrong hydrogen peroxide formulation can result in equipment downtime,
costly repairs and possible concerns regarding efficacy of the process. Due to these
potential issues, most equipment manufacturers offer a proprietary formulation to
ensure the safe and effective use of the equipment for the intended application,
maintaining compliance with applicable regulations.

In conclusion, vaporized hydrogen peroxide biodecontamination equipment is an

investment in prophylactic or remedial bioburden control whether it is done as part
of a manufacturing process or routine facility bioburden management. Selecting the
appropriate hydrogen peroxide to use with your equipment will help ensure that
your equipment and process performs optimally, while complying with laws and
regulations.

Click Here to View VHP Sterilization & Biodecontamination Equipment

Suggested Content

 Article
Changing Gear: How to Mitigate Risks in Cleanroom
Manufacturing
August 25, 2020 | Article

 Article

Guide to implementing a VHP system for facility

biodecontamination
May 28, 2020 | Article

 Technical Tip

Benefits of Pharmaceutical Detergents with

Proteinaceous Soils
March 22, 2021 | Technical Tip

Keep current on STERIS Life Sciences news and innovations that impact your
industry.
Subscribe 
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© Copyright 2022, STERIS plc. All rights reserved

Registered in Ireland No 595593
Registered office: 70 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2 Ireland
 

STERIS Life Sciences response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

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o
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 o


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o

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

Back to Technical Learning Library






Ask an expertContact
Understanding H2O2 For Vaporized Hydrogen
Peroxide (VHP)
January 24, 2020 Technical Tip

 #Disinfectants and Validation

 #Sterilization
 #Pharmaceutical Equipment and Cleaning
 #Cleanroom Microbial Control
When deciding to purchase your first hydrogen peroxide vapor biodecontamination
equipment, there are many factors to consider. One of these factors involves the
type and grade of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) you will use as a sterilant. Hydrogen
peroxide comes in varying concentrations and within each concentration there are
different grades. They are not all created the same nor will they perform the same
and choosing the wrong hydrogen peroxide for your application and equipment can
cause damage and affect the efficacy of your biodecontamination cycles.

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Concentrations and Grades

Hydrogen peroxide is available in concentrations ranging from 3% to 98% H2O2. The

oxidation potential of hydrogen peroxide is slightly below that of ozone and slightly
above that of chlorine dioxide. Due to its strong oxidation potential, this is what
makes hydrogen peroxide an excellent sterilant. Generally, vaporized hydrogen
peroxide biodecontaminaton equipment uses concentrations of 31% or higher.
Commercially, 31%, 35%, 50% and 70% are typically used. At these concentrations,
there are essentially three grades of hydrogen peroxide: technical, semi-conductor
and food grade. The major difference in these hydrogen peroxide grades is the
stabilizer formulation used. As a general rule of thumb, technical grade is more
stabilized than food grade which is more stabilized than semi-conductor grade. This
is important to consider when choosing the hydrogen peroxide formulation you will
use for your equipment and application.

Application and Equipment Requirements

In certain instances, the application or intended use of the product dictates the type
of hydrogen peroxide that must be selected. Technical grades are typically used as a
liquid while food and semi-conductor grades are used either as a liquid or vapor.
Additionally, when dealing with food and beverage applications, certain regulatory
requirements may specify certain grades and levels of acceptable residuals.

Generally, food and semi-conductor grades are recommended for use in hydrogen
peroxide vapor equipment due to their lower stabilizer levels than technical grade.
Using the wrong hydrogen peroxide formulation can result in equipment downtime,
costly repairs and possible concerns regarding efficacy of the process. Due to these
potential issues, most equipment manufacturers offer a proprietary formulation to
ensure the safe and effective use of the equipment for the intended application,
maintaining compliance with applicable regulations.

In conclusion, vaporized hydrogen peroxide biodecontamination equipment is an

investment in prophylactic or remedial bioburden control whether it is done as part
of a manufacturing process or routine facility bioburden management. Selecting the
appropriate hydrogen peroxide to use with your equipment will help ensure that
your equipment and process performs optimally, while complying with laws and
regulations.
Click Here to View VHP Sterilization & Biodecontamination Equipment

Suggested Content

 Article

Changing Gear: How to Mitigate Risks in Cleanroom

Manufacturing
August 25, 2020 | Article

 Article

Guide to implementing a VHP system for facility

biodecontamination
May 28, 2020 | Article

 Technical Tip
Benefits of Pharmaceutical Detergents with
Proteinaceous Soils
March 22, 2021 | Technical Tip

Keep current on STERIS Life Sciences news and innovations that impact your
industry.
Subscribe 

Company

 About
 Contact Us
 STERIS Global Offices
 Quality Certificates

Content

 Resources
 Recent News
 Events
 Media Center
 Sign-up for Email Alerts

Privacy PolicyTerms of SaleTerms of Use

© Copyright 2022, STERIS plc. All rights reserved

 Registered in Ireland No 595593
Registered office: 70 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2 Ireland
ShareThis Copy and Paste

STERIS Life Sciences response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Back to

Technical Learning Library Ask an expert Contact Understanding H2O2 For Vaporized
Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP) January 24, 2020 Technical Tip #Disinfectants and
Validation #Sterilization #Pharmaceutical Equipment and Cleaning #Cleanroom
Microbial Control When deciding to purchase your first hydrogen peroxide vapor
biodecontamination equipment, there are many factors to consider. One of these
factors involves the type and grade of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) you will use as a
sterilant. Hydrogen peroxide comes in varying concentrations and within each
concentration there are different grades. They are not all created the same nor will
they perform the same and choosing the wrong hydrogen peroxide for your
application and equipment can cause damage and affect the efficacy of your
biodecontamination cycles. Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Concentrations and Grades
Hydrogen peroxide is available in concentrations ranging from 3% to 98% H2O2. The
oxidation potential of hydrogen peroxide is slightly below that of ozone and slightly
above that of chlorine dioxide. Due to its strong oxidation potential, this is what
makes hydrogen peroxide an excellent sterilant. Generally, vaporized hydrogen
peroxide biodecontaminaton equipment uses concentrations of 31% or higher.
Commercially, 31%, 35%, 50% and 70% are typically used. At these concentrations,
there are essentially three grades of hydrogen peroxide: technical, semi-conductor
and food grade. The major difference in these hydrogen peroxide grades is the
stabilizer formulation used. As a general rule of thumb, technical grade is more
stabilized than food grade which is more stabilized than semi-conductor grade. This
is important to consider when choosing the hydrogen peroxide formulation you will
use for your equipment and application. Application and Equipment Requirements
In certain instances, the application or intended use of the product dictates the type
of hydrogen peroxide that must be selected. Technical grades are typically used as a
liquid while food and semi-conductor grades are used either as a liquid or vapor.
Additionally, when dealing with food and beverage applications, certain regulatory
requirements may specify certain grades and levels of acceptable residuals.
Generally, food and semi-conductor grades are recommended for use in hydrogen
peroxide vapor equipment due to their lower stabilizer levels than technical grade.
Using the wrong hydrogen peroxide formulation can result in equipment downtime,
costly repairs and possible concerns regarding efficacy of the process. Due to these
potential issues, most equipment manufacturers offer a proprietary formulation to
ensure the safe and effective use of the equipment for the intended application,
maintaining compliance with applicable regulations. In conclusion, vaporized
hydrogen peroxide biodecontamination equipment is an investment in prophylactic
or remedial bioburden control whether it is done as part of a manufacturing process
or routine facility bioburden management. Selecting the appropriate hydrogen
peroxide to use with your equipment will help ensure that your equipment and
process performs optimally, while complying with laws and regulations. Click Here to
View VHP Sterilization & Biodecontamination Equipment Suggested Content Article
Changing Gear: How to Mitigate Risks in Cleanroom Manufacturing August 25, 2020
| Article Article Guide to implementing a VHP system for facility biodecontamination
May 28, 2020 | Article Technical Tip Benefits of Pharmaceutical Detergents with
Proteinaceous Soils March 22, 2021 | Technical Tip Keep current on STERIS Life
Sciences news and innovations that impact your industry. Subscribe Company About
Contact Us STERIS Global Offices Quality Certificates Content Resources Recent News
Events Media Center Sign-up for Email Alerts Privacy Policy Terms of Sale Terms of
Use © Copyright 2022, STERIS plc. All rights reserved Registered in Ireland No 595593
Registered office: 70 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2 Ireland STERIS Life Sciences
response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak Back to Technical Learning Library
Ask an expert Contact Understanding H2O2 For Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP)
January 24, 2020 Technical Tip #Disinfectants and Validation #Sterilization
#Pharmaceutical Equipment and Cleaning #Cleanroom Microbial Control When
deciding to purchase your first hydrogen peroxide vapor biodecontamination
equipment, there are many factors to consider. One of these factors involves the
type and grade of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) you will use as a sterilant. Hydrogen
peroxide comes in varying concentrations and within each concentration there are
different grades. They are not all created the same nor will they perform the same
and choosing the wrong hydrogen peroxide for your application and equipment can
cause damage and affect the efficacy of your biodecontamination cycles. Hydrogen
Peroxide (H2O2) Concentrations and Grades Hydrogen peroxide is available in
concentrations ranging from 3% to 98% H2O2. The oxidation potential of hydrogen
peroxide is slightly below that of ozone and slightly above that of chlorine dioxide.
Due to its strong oxidation potential, this is what makes hydrogen peroxide an
excellent sterilant. Generally, vaporized hydrogen peroxide biodecontaminaton
equipment uses concentrations of 31% or higher. Commercially, 31%, 35%, 50% and
70% are typically used. At these concentrations, there are essentially three grades of
hydrogen peroxide: technical, semi-conductor and food grade. The major difference
in these hydrogen peroxide grades is the stabilizer formulation used. As a general
rule of thumb, technical grade is more stabilized than food grade which is more
stabilized than semi-conductor grade. This is important to consider when choosing
the hydrogen peroxide formulation you will use for your equipment and application.
Application and Equipment Requirements In certain instances, the application or
intended use of the product dictates the type of hydrogen peroxide that must be
selected. Technical grades are typically used as a liquid while food and semi-
conductor grades are used either as a liquid or vapor. Additionally, when dealing
with food and beverage applications, certain regulatory requirements may specify
certain grades and levels of acceptable residuals. Generally, food and semi-
conductor grades are recommended for use in hydrogen peroxide vapor equipment
due to their lower stabilizer levels than technical grade. Using the wrong hydrogen
peroxide formulation can result in equipment downtime, costly repairs and possible
concerns regarding efficacy of the process. Due to these potential issues, most
equipment manufacturers offer a proprietary formulation to ensure the safe and
effective use of the equipment for the intended application, maintaining compliance
with applicable regulations. In conclusion, vaporized hydrogen peroxide
biodecontamination equipment is an investment in prophylactic or remedial
bioburden control whether it is done as part of a manufacturing process or routine
facility bioburden management. Selecting the appropriate hydrogen peroxide to use
with your equipment will help ensure that your equipment and process performs
optimally, while complying with laws and regulations. Click Here to View VHP
Sterilization & Biodecontamination Equipment Suggested Content Article Changing
Gear: How to Mitigate Risks in Cleanroom Manufacturing August 25, 2020 | Article
Article Guide to implementing a VHP system for facility biodecontamination May 28,
2020 | Article Technical Tip Benefits of Pharmaceutical Detergents with
Proteinaceous Soils March 22, 2021 | Technical Tip Keep current on STERIS Life
Sciences news and innovations that impact your industry. Subscribe Company About
Contact Us STERIS Global Offices Quality Certificates Content Resources Recent News
Events Media Center Sign-up for Email Alerts Privacy Policy Terms of Sale Terms of
Use © Copyright 2022, STERIS plc. All rights reserved Registered in Ireland No 595593
Registered office: 70 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2 Ireland ShareThis Copy and
Paste