Toxicology:
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/MHMI/mmg174.htmlUse in cancer:
"Patients with cancer should not consider oxygen therapies as either alternative (first-line) or adjunct (complementary) therapies." (Cassileth)
"After studying the literature and other available information, the American Cancer Society has found no evidence that treatment with hydrogen peroxide or other 'hyperoxygenating' compounds is safe or results in objective benefit in the treatment of cancer. Lacking such evidence, the American Cancer Society strongly urges individuals with cancer not to seek such treatment." (CA)
Professional Evaluation / Critique
"Hydrogen peroxide does participate in the bactericidal processes within activated phagocyte cells. But when it escapes from the cells into the adjacent extracellular space during the inflammatory process, it becomes a major contributor to the tissue damage seen in lung disease, malignancies, and hemolysis. The presence of pharmacological concentrations of hydrogen peroxide in the blood is clearly a double-edged sword which can easily cause as much harm as it can cause good." (Green)
"The amount of oxygen contained in the few cubic centimeters of peroxide included in Donsbach's 4-hour intravenous infusions is less than the amount in a single deep breath of air." (Barrett)
"Oral hydrogen peroxide would automatically be ineffective since all of the hydrogen peroxide would be eliminated in the stomach forming water and inert gaseous oxygen which would then be lost in burping or passing flatus. No effect would occur in the body." (Personal)
"In 1988, the U.S. Postal Service issued Donsbach a cease and desist order to stop him from claiming that the hydrogen peroxide used orally or intravenously is effective against cancer or arthritis, or that it is fit for human consumption." (U.S. Congress)
Hydrogen peroxide is a treatment provided by the Bio-Genesis Clinic in Mexico. However, "instead of presenting the public with sound, verifiable, scientific research and conclusions, clinics such as Bio-Genesis seem to rely more heavily on testimonials from former patients as their proof." (DuBois)
Toxicity / Risks
"Hydrogen peroxide can be harmful, causing toxic reactions if taken internally in excessive amounts or as an undiluted preparation." (Cassileth)
"A continuous infusion of peroxide that results in 0.01 volume per 100 ml blood can cause an arterial gas embolism [sudden blocking of an artery] and irreversible lung damage. That such adverse reactions do occur is clear from reports in the medical literature. These incidents include: oxygen gas emboli, necrosis [the sum of the morphological changes indicative of cell death], and gangrene following peroxide enemas or colonic lavage [washing out of the colon]; emphysema [accumulation of air in tissues or organs] following peroxide mouthwash or gargle; and ulcerative colitis [inflammation of the colon], gas embolism, and emphysema following deep wound irrigation. Peroxide ingestion results in respiratory arrest, seizures, gas embolism in the portal circulation, shock, and acute hemolysis [disruption of red blood cell membrane causing release of hemoglobin]. Stroke and multiple cerebral infarcts and venous embolism follow irrigation of anal fistula [one opening on the cutaneous surface of the anus] and irrigation of surgical wounds." (Green)
"H2O2 must be diluted sufficiently or it may cause chemical burns. H2O2 often cause nausea when taken orally." (Ontario)
"Thirty-five percent hydrogen peroxide is commercially available as an oxidant and disinfectant. This solution is currently sold and promoted in health food stores in th United States as a means of 'improving oxygenation' in people with coronary artery disease and other health problems. Our findings show the high toxicity of concentrated hydrogen peroxide. CNS [central nervous system] damage and death are likely consequences after ingestion of this agent." (Ashdown)
"Promoters of hydrogen peroxide tend to downplay its potential for harm . ... In fact, however, during the past three years, six children have been seriously poisoned and one died as a result of accidentally drinking the concentrated solution stored in their refrigerator. The product in the fatal case had been obtained by mail order as an alternative medicine. A near-fatal case of ingestion by an adult also has been reported." (CA)
"The present study clearly demonstrates that H2O2 acts as a carcinogen. Reactive oxygen intermediates have been reported to induce single-strand breaks in cellular DNA, oxidation of DNA bases, chromosomal aberrations, and DNA-protein cross-links." (Okamoto)