Ammonium persulfate

Ammonium persulfate

Formula	CAS
(NH4)2S2O8	7727-54-0

Background
Ammonium persulfate is (NH4)2S2O8 is a strong oxidizing agent and bleacher in hair bleaches. It is very soluble in water; the dissolution of the salt in water is endothermic. It is a radical initiator. It is used to etch copper on printed circuit boards as an alternative to ferric chloride solution. It is also used along with tetramethylethylenediamine to catalyze the polymerization of acrylamide in making a polyacrylamide gel. Ammonium persulfate is the main component of Nochromix. On dissolving in sulfuric acid, it is used to clean laboratory glassware as a metal-free alternative to chromic acid baths. It is also a standard ingredient in western blot gels and hair bleach.

Synonyms
Ammonium persulfate Ammonium peroxydisulfate

Uses
Cleaning laboratory glassware
Western blot gels
Oxidizer and bleacher in hair bleaches
Decolorizing and deodorizing oils
Electorplating
Manufacturing aniline dyes
Oxidizer for copper
Making soluble starch
Analytical chemistry
Depolarizer in electric batteries
Reducer and retarder in photography

Cross-Reactions

Unusual Reactions
Airborne contact dermatitis
Contact urticaria
Airborne dust may be irritating to eye, nose, throat, lung and skin upon contact. Exposure to high levels of dust may cause difficulty in breathing.

Back to list of contact allergens

Referenties

1.	Maibach HI, Johnson HL. Contact urticaria syndrome. Contact urticaria to diethyltoluamide (immediate-type hypersensitivity). Arch Dermatol 1975;111(6):726-730.
2.	Fisher AA, Dooms-Goossens A. Persulfate hair bleach reactions. Cutaneous and respiratory manifestations. Arch Dermatol 1976;112(10):1407-1409.
3.	Winton GB, Lewis CW. Contact urticaria. Int J Dermatol 1982;21(10):573-578.
4.	van der Walle HB, Brunsveld VM. Dermatitis in hairdressers. (I). The experience of the past 4 years. Contact Dermatitis 1994;30(4):217-221.

Author(s):
Allergology: background information on allergens.

31-12-2015 (JRM) - www.skin-diseases.eu