Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a compound with formula H2O2. Over time, it decomposes into water and oxygen gas, thus containers for hydrogen peroxide must permit the oxygen gas to escape, lest it builds up and causes an explosion. Hydrogen peroxide is used as a bleach, in particular to bleach human hair. It burns if it comes into contact with the skin in sufficent concentration.
The use of a catalyst (such as manganese dioxide or the enzyme catalase) vastly increases the rate of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide has also been used as a fuel for propulsion. Its use in torpedos has been discontinued by most navies due to safety considerations. A hydrogen peroxide leak was blamed for the sinkings of HMS Sidon and the Russian submarine Kursk.
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