Explosive Substances Act and Peroxide Chemicals

• 25 May 2024

Source: HT

A chemical explosion in a Thane (Maharashtra)-based factory, claiming 11 lives, highlights critical safety flaws. Caused by reactive peroxide chemicals, the accused have been charged under Explosive Act 1884, and Explosive Substances Act 1908.

• The Explosives Act of 1884, enacted by the British colonial government in India, regulates the manufacture, storage, possession, use, sale, import, and export of explosives. It sets safety standards for handling, transportation, and storage of explosives to prevent accidents.
• The Explosive Substances Act of 1908 encompasses provisions defining explosive substances and special category explosive substances, including notable compounds like RDX.
  • The Act delineates punishments for causing explosions likely to endanger life or property, along with penalties for attempts to cause explosions or possession of explosives with malicious intent.
• Peroxide chemicals are organic compounds that contain a peroxide functional group, which is characterised by two oxygen atoms linked together.
  • The general structure for peroxides can be represented as R−O−O−R, where ‘R’ can be any element. The linkage between the two oxygen atoms (O−O) is known as the peroxide group or peroxy group.
    • Example: Hydrogen peroxide, Benzoyl peroxide.
  • The bond in peroxides is weak, making them very reactive and allowing other chemicals to alter their structure.
  • Peroxides can be hazardous and can cause fires and explosions when exposed to heat, shock, or friction.

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