Dangerous Goods Class 5: Oxidising Substances & Organic Peroxides

Products and substances classed as hazardous for transport are categorised into 9 classes. Goods classed as hazardous when transported that could cause a risk to the environment, health or safety are classified into one of these classes.

Continuing our in-depth look at the classes of Dangerous Goods we look at Class 5 – Oxidising Substances and Organic Peroxides. If you want a full overview of what you need to consider when shipping dangerous goods, be sure to check out our previous blog here.

Reason for Regulation

Oxidisers can yield oxygen and therefore can cause or increase the likelihood of combustion of other materials. The MSDS for a particular oxidizing material should explain what substances the oxidizer is incompatible with and any other conditions, such as heat, shock, or friction, that could result in dangerous chemical reactions.
Organic peroxides can easily decompose, giving off heat at a rate that increases as the temperature rises. Many give off flammable vapours when they decompose which can easily catch fire.
In July 2005 there was a series of bombings on the underground and on a double-decker bus. The bombs were homemade using acetone peroxide as a base.

Class Divisions

Class 5 is made up of 2 divisions – Oxidising Substances and Organic Peroxides

Division 5.1 Oxidizers Although not combustible themselves are able to give off oxygen when subjected to heat. This oxygen is then available to stimulate the combustion of other substances.
Examples are granular pool cleaning chemicals, ammonium nitrate which is used in fertilizers and Nickel nitrites and nitrates.
Oxidizers come in both liquid and solid forms. The degree of danger assigned to oxidizers is based on the burn rate or burning intensity of the substance.

Division 5.2 Organic peroxides are thermally unstable and may exude heat whilst undergoing explosive decomposition. These are subject to sensitive sudden shock or friction; they can react violently with other substances, and they can attack the skin and eyes.
Examples in Division 5.2 include MEKP used in fibre-glassing, dibenzoyl peroxide used in the manufacture of polymers like expandable polystyrene.
Any Organic peroxides must fulfil the classification and the control and emergency temperature of the Self-accelerating decomposition temperate (SADT) as listed in Appendix C2 of the regulations

Class 5 label symbols required for transportation