Before you begin to review the health and safety information for specific chemicals, you may wish to review the terms listed below to ensure that you understand them. When working with chemicals in a laboratory, it is important for the lab worker to evaluate the hazards associated with the chemicals in use and to take necessary precautions. These compounds are sensitive to heat, friction, impact, and light, as well as to strong oxidizing and reducing agents. Peroxide formers include most ethers, cyclohexane, dioxane, and tetrahydrofuran.
Peroxides generally develop over time from air oxidation.
An explosion may occur if a container containing peroxides is dropped, or when simply unscrewing a cap, if crystals have formed under the cap. Avoid purchasing peroxide-forming substances in large quantities. Buy only what you will need and use it up within a few months, well before the expiration date. Water reactive chemicals react violently with water. Water reactive chemicals stored in refrigerators have been known to explode due to the condensation.