Kids, don't try this at home.
Gayle, fellow posters,
Merry Walrus. That our of the way, I've spent a couple of days looking into the volatility of peroxide, and I think this is the most promising lead.
Let's start with a brief summary of hydrogen peroxide.
Consumer grade products containing peroxides are generally 12% peroxide or less by volume. Those little brown bottles of peroxide in the drug stores are roughly 3 to 8 percent hydrogen peroxide by volume. Peroxides in these low cencentrations have been used in the 1880's, and are relatively harmless. Even the EPA thinks so.
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/ingredients/factsheets/factsheet_000595.htm
IV. ASSESSING RISKS TO THE ENVIRONMENT
If users follow label directions, no risks to the environment are expected from use of pesticide products containing hydrogen peroxide because 1) the substance readily decomposes to water and oxygen gas, leaving no residue; 2) it is effective at low concentrations where no toxic effects are expected. Label instructions tell users not to spray where bees are active.
Hydrogen peroxide in realtively low concentrations is being used an a disinfectant, and pesticide. Hydrogen peroxide bubbles and fizzes, decomposing into oxygen and water when it come into contant with anything it can oxidize, or when it contacts a suitable catlyst.
http://www.h2o2.com/h2o2update/pgarticles/tinybubbles.html
A more detailed explanation of why it foams on an abrasion is because blood contains iron (heme) and cells produce an enzyme called catalase. Catalase is found in nearly all cells and organs and acts as a catalyst in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Since a cut contains both blood and of course damaged cells, there is quite a lot of catalase present. When the H2O2 comes into contact with the catalase, it turns the peroxide into water (H2O) and oxygen gas (O2). Catalase breaks down the hydrogen peroxide extremely efficiently - up to 200,000 reactions/second. To see this reaction firsthand, I wouldn't recommend stabbing yourself, but you could pour some H2O2 onto a cut piece of potato to achieve the same results. The damaged potato cells contain catalase and will react with the peroxide in the same way.
It may appear that hydrogen peroxide is not bubbling in the bottle, but actually the same reaction occurs only much slower. Without a catalyst, like catalase, hydrogen peroxide decomposes at a rate of about 1% each year. So pay attention to that expiration date, it may be time to buy some more
That's right. Hydrogen peroxide in solution, without a catalyst or reducing agent is fairly stable. Even in a spill, or absorbed in a cloth, the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide has a half life of 10-20 hours. Since hydrogen peroxide has a boiling point of 141 degrees C, and water has a boiling point of 100 degrees C, a spilled solution of water and hydrogen peroxide will preferentially evaporate water, leading to an increase in the concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
It's very tough for a consumer to buy hudrogen peroxide in higher concentrations that 8%. However, hair bleaching products can be sold to consumers in the U.S. as "volume 40", which is 12% hydrogen peroxide. Hair salons have acess to volume 50, which is 16% hydrogen peroxide. Higher concentrations than that are strictly for inudustrial uses, or for amatuer rocketry.
http://www.h2o2.com/intro/faq.html
Note to household users: Concentrations > 8% H2O2 (by weight) are classified Oxidizers and are not recommended for household use (see Safety and Handling Guidelines). You should seek out a regional source for this dilute solution, or consider a safe, non-hazardous alternative...
Now, there's a long list of the substances hydrogen peroxide will react with, or by catalized by.
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/hydrogenperoxide/recognition.html
* Reactivity
1. Conditions contributing to instability: Exposure to radiant heat (sunlight), sources of ignition, such as, heat or open flame; and physical or mechanical disturbances can create a potential fire or explosion hazard.
2. Incompatibilities: Contact between hydrogen peroxide and combustible materials such as, wood, paper, oil, etc., may cause immediate spontaneous ignition or combustion. Mixed with organic materials such as alcohols, acetone, and other ketones; aldehydes, and their anhydrides; and glycerol can cause violent explosions. Spontaneous ignition may occur when hydrogen peroxide is added to cotton (cellulose). Contact with metals including iron, copper, chromium, lead, silver, manganese, sodium, potassium, magnesium, nickel, gold, platinum; metal alloys such as, brass or bronze; metal oxides such as lead oxides, mercury oxides, or manganese dioxide; and many metal salts, like potassium permanganate or sodium iodate could result in violent explosions. Tremendous explosions can also be caused by unstable mixtures with concentrated mineral acids.
Emphasis mine.
Now, it's known to science that high conenctrations of hydrogen perxoide will cause fires when in contact with cotton, such as Gayle's cotton shirt for example. And it is known to science that spilled sollutions of hydrogen peroxide will increase in concentration as evoporation occurs. UV light is also a known catalyst for hyrgoen peroxide explosions. The only question left before we can decide if this is a possible cause of the Gayle's burning shirt phenomenon is whether volume 50 hair bleach can be used to receate this fire. In other words, we're going to have to experiment, and make a big boom.
Thoughts everyone?
P.S. I dug up a lot more regarding hydrogen peroxide, but it's not directly pertinent.
