Hydrogen Peroxide Essay

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rogen can combine with oxygen to form a compound called Hydrogen Peroxide;a compound discovered by a man called Louis Jacque Thenard in 1818 and can be found in snow,rain, and inside the human body Since its chemical formula is H2O2, it shows that the compound is made up of two Hydrogen atoms and two Oxygen atoms (the result of an oxygen molecule mixing with water). It is a liquid, its freezing point is at -0.43ºC and its boiling point is at 150.2ºC. It is the result of an oxygen molecule mixing with water It can be used to improve health but is mostly known for bleaching hair. For example it can cure foot fungus, treat small cuts and infections, loosen ear wax, and cure common colds. However, it's not recommended to be used as the main way to treat wounds so it acts more as an alternative. In addition to improving health conditions (in body terms), it is also used for dental care. For example, around 3% of hydrogen peroxide is used in the items necessary for proper hygiene: toothpaste, toothbrushes, and mouthwash. Some other uses of hydrogen peroxide are acting as a stain remover(similar to bleach),cleaning kitchens, and because hydrogen peroxide can be a disinfectant, it can disinfect swimming pools by dechlorination. Hydrogen peroxide is used to cure common colds because it can kill bacteria but is used in very few quantities, for too much of the compound may be dangerous to the good bacteria in the skin. It is not frequently used and may not work if the procedure is done after the virus has already spread. A doctor in 1928 called Richard Simmons believed the rhinovirus, which was the virus that caused colds, found entry into the body through the ear or the mouth. By putting hydrogen peroxide in the patients' ears, it can kill any bacteria that is in the ear canal;thus, the virus can be destroyed before it spreads any further throughout the body.

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