FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-09/16

Title and Subtitle: Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide on Common Aviation Textiles

Report Date: August 2009

Authors: Chou SF, Overfelt RA, Gale WF, Gale HS, Shannon CG, Buschle-Diller G, Watson J

Abstract: Modern transportation systems are subject to unintentional contamination from infected passengers, as well as deliberate contamination from criminals and political adversaries. Hydrogen peroxide has been used for years as a disinfectant in the medical community and is under consideration in the dilute vapor form as a decontaminant/disinfectant/sterilant for transportation vehicles like aircraft, buses, subway trains, ambulances, etc.

Although the biological efficacy of STERIS Corporation�s Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP� a registered trademark of the STERIS Corporation, Mentor, OH.) technology has been demonstrated elsewhere, the compatibility of the process with typical aircraft materials has not been rigorously established. The present report documents a materials compatibility evaluation involving the effects of hydrogen peroxide exposure on the mechanical properties and flammability of the following commercial-grade textile materials: wool, nylon, polyester, Nomex�, and leather.

Key Words: Hydrogen Peroxide, Decontamination, Materials Compatibility, Textiles, Technology Evaluation

No. of Pages: 26