Acetylides, ozides, organic nitrates and many peroxides are examples of shock-sensitive materials. Organic peroxides are a class of compounds even more shock sensitive than explosives such as TNT or picric acid. For this reason bottles of materials prone to peroxidation should not be kept for prolonged periods once they have been opened. These compounds should therefore be handled under the surface of a hydrocarbon solvent such as mineral oil or toluene. Oil should not be used on connections to an oxygen cylinder.
Uncontrolled polymerization can be extremely hazardous.
Some polymerization processes can release considerable heat or can be explosive. When storing, using or disposing of chemicals, care must be exercised to minimize the consequences of accidental mixing of incompatibles by spillage or breakage. Such contact could result in a serious explosion or the formation of substances that are highly toxic or flammable or both.