Peracetic acid (CAS 79-21-0): storage and disposal

Oxidising power is the hazard that decides where it goes, along with the oxygen it keeps releasing. It needs a separate labelled space, well away from solvents, other organic stock and reducing materials. Clinic and practice cleaning cupboards are the usual problem, as ammonia based cleaners should not sit beside it, and heat from an autoclave or boiler nearby is a poor neighbour for something that may catch fire on heating. Vented caps only work upright, so a drum or bottle laid on its side can weep corrosive liquid through the vent. Metal shelves and fittings near it will corrode from the vapour. Never swap a vented cap for a plain one, even if the original looks tatty.

Look first at the cap and the label. A vented cap that has crusted over, bottle sides pushed outwards or a domed drum all point to oxygen building up with nowhere to go. Wet necks, sticky runs down the side and corroded metal nearby show the vent or seal has been leaking. A strong vinegar smell in a closed cupboard points the same way. The liquid itself usually stays clear and colourless while its strength falls, so it gives few visual signs of age. A faded label or missing date means nobody can say what is left in it. If it is old, undated or shows any of these signs, do not move it, do not open it, and get a specialist assessment.

Decomposes on storage, releasing oxygen, and needs a vented cap.

By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a oxidising laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.

Before asking for a collection, write down the cap type, whether the container has changed shape, the strength printed on the label and the volume left. Part used disinfectant from a bath or tray is a different thing to list from a sealed supplier drum, so keep those lines separate. A clinic would normally use 18 01 06* and a veterinary practice 18 02 05*. Vented containers have to travel upright, and that is what makes this awkward: the collector has to plan for it, and it has to stay out of any group holding solvents or other organic stock. Being very toxic to aquatic life, not even a small measure of the concentrate may go to a sink or drain, and nobody should attempt to weaken it first.

Usually held as: about 15%, about 35%, disinfectant formulations.

Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.