HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION SHEET 

Peroxyacetic Acid (PAA) 

What is peroxyacetic acid? 

Peroxyacetic acid (also known as peracetic acid or PAA) is an organic peroxide 

based, colorless liquid with a low pH and a strong, pungent, vinegar-like odor. In the 

concentrated form it is highly corrosive and unstable. PAA is formed from the 

reaction of acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Commercial PAA products contain all

three chemicals in an aqueous solution often with stabilizers added. The

concentration of PAA as the active ingredient, as well as the mixture of the other

ingredients, can vary widely. 

PAA is used in food and beverage industries as well as hospitals, health care and

pharmaceutical facilities as an antimicrobial agent, surface cleaner and sanitizer. In

many meat and poultry establishments it is used on carcasses, parts, trim and

organs to reduce bacterial contamination and foot spoilage. It can be applied by a 

variety of methods including spray cabinet, dip tank, hand spray pump and chiller. 

How are FSIS employees potentially exposed to PAA in their workplaces? 

FSIS employees can potentially be exposed to PAA when it is used as an 

antimicrobial or acidifier in ways that fail to properly contain or ventilate the 

product. The following are some examples of how IPP could potentially be exposed

if controls are not properly in place: 

• Off-gassing from chillers; 

• Over spray from spray cabinet openings and high nozzle pressure; 

• Lack of local exhaust ventilation on spray cabinets; 

• Inadequate ventilation in kill floor area; 

• Direct discharge of waste solution from cabinets and tanks directly onto the 

floor; 

• Failure to properly control solution pH; 

• Chemical mixing in floor drains; and 

• Hand application with spray tanks. 

The latest version of FSIS Directive 7120.1, “Safe and Suitable Ingredients Used in 

the Production of Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products”, contains a list of PAA containing

substances and the concentrations that may be used for specific purposes in meat,

poultry and egg product establishments. PAA solutions are currently approved for

use in PAA concentrations ranging from 50 to 2,000 parts per million (ppm). 

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PAA products are produced by a variety of manufacturers and suppliers including, 

but not limited to: 

• Peroxychem – Product: Blitz (meat), SPECTRUM (poultry) 

• Enviro Tech Chemical Services, Inc. – Product: Perasan MP-2C, Chemsan RBR 

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• Zee Company – Product: Microtox Ultra 

What are the potential health effects of exposure to PAA? 

Concentrated forms of PAA solution are corrosive and exposure can cause 

irreversible damage to skin and eyes. When PAA is used in establishments for

antimicrobial applications, it is used in diluted concentrations (ranging from 50 to 

2,000 ppm in solution). Exposure to PAA in the dilute form as a vapor or mist may 

sometimes cause eye, nose, throat and respiratory irritation that usually subsides

when exposure ceases. Currently, there is no correlation between a specific

concentration in solution and the resulting concentration in air or the level of

irritation expected. IPP should be aware that, in general, pre-existing respiratory

conditions may be aggravated by exposure to airborne irritants. 

What OSHA Standards and exposure guidelines apply to PAA? 

There are no specific OSHA standards for PAA. The American Conference of

Governmental Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends a Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of

0.4 ppm, as a 15-minute Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL). ACGIH also does not

consider PAA to be classifiable as a human carcinogen. 

The ACGIH TLV is currently used in the meat and poultry industry as a general

guideline for determining PAA health exposures. Therefore, when airborne 

concentrations of PAA exceed this value, action should be taken to limit exposure by 

leaving the work area until the reason for the elevated concentration can be 

identified and resolved. 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is in the process

of determining the concentration of PAA that should be considered Immediately

Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH). This document will be updated with that 

value when it is published. 

How are occupational exposures to PAA monitored or measured? 

There are no validated OSHA or NIOSH air sampling methods for PAA. Both agencies

are investigating and developing a reliable method. This document will be updated 

when more information if available. 

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There are also several portable, direct reading monitors which are commercially

available for sampling PAA. However, these monitors are not specific for PAA but 

can react to many types of oxidizing chemicals (such as chlorine, ozone and

hydrogen peroxide). The monitor sensors are also sensitive to water, humidity and

temperature making them difficult to use reliably in many establishments where 

PAA is used. The FSIS Environmental, Safety and Health Group (ESHG) is currently

evaluating these monitors for use in the field. 

What safety precautions can be followed to protect FSIS employees against 

exposure to PAA? 

The most effective ways to prevent over-exposure to PAA is to minimize the amount 

of vapor, mist or droplets that come into direct contact with employees by providing

adequate containment, ventilation, and process controls. 

Some potential controls that establishments can put in place to minimize exposure 

are: 

• Spray cabinets can be enclosed enough so that significant amounts of mists 

or droplets are not released through the entrance or exit to the cabinet. 

• Local exhaust ventilation can be used to remove mists directly from the 

cabinets. 

• Clear plastic or stainless steel shields can be used to deflect spray from

contacting inspectors. 

• Spray cabinets can be installed as far as practical from inspection stations. 

• Closed drain lines can be used for wastewater discharges from the cabinets

to the floor drains. 

• If there is an issue with chemical mixing in floor drains, a dedicated drain line 

in the floor troughs can be used to carry the wastewater to an area where 

discharge will not cause safety issues. 

• Adequate general ventilation can be provided using properly designed 

exhaust fans and fresh air supply units. 

• PAA solutions can be monitored and controlled for concentration, pH, and 

temperature to reduce off-gassing, as specified by the system supplier. 

How can an IIC ensure compliance with the OSHA Hazard Communication 

Standard for this Chemical? 

1. The IIC is responsible for ensuring that the requirements of FSIS Directive 4791.5,

“Hazard Communication Program” are met. 

This includes: 

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• Ensuring the List of Hazardous Chemicals used or stored on site is available

in the USDA office as required by Directive 4791.5 Attachment 1 Section II.

This list is usually limited to antimicrobials, sanitizers, and refrigerants. 

• The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) library location is noted on the signature page 

of Directive 4791.5 Attachment 1. 

• Ensuring hazardous chemical containers are appropriately labeled. 

2. The IIC is to provide training to all FSIS employees (including relief inspectors)

for all chemical hazards in the workplace. Training includes: 

• Allowing IPP access to and time to read the SDS. 

• The location of hazardous chemicals that IPP may be exposed under routine 

and emergency conditions. 

• Monitoring systems (if any) used to detect the presence or release of a 

hazardous chemical in the work area. 

• How IPP can identify the presence or release of a hazardous chemical (e.g. 

visual appearance or odor of chemicals). 

• The location of the required list of chemicals. 

• The location of the SDS library. 

• Steps IPP can take to protect themselves from hazardous exposure. 

• Emergency procedures found on FSIS form 4791-21. 

4. The IIC can use information from the SDS and the chemical label for training

material and any additional information provided by the chemical supplier and/or

establishment regarding the working solutions and use concentrations to which IPP 

may be exposed in their work areas. 

All occupational health and safety training is to be recorded using either AgLearn or

FSIS form 3530-12. Training records are to include the topics covered, date, and

employee name. The Agency is to retain all training records for a minimum of five 

years. 

Please contact your district’s Occupational Safety and Health Specialist or email

AskEmployeeSafety@fsis.usda.gov if you have any questions. 

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