Potassium permanganate

Synonyms

Algae-K; Argucide; Cairox; Chameleon mineral; Condy's crystals; Diversey Diversol CX with Arodyne; Diversey Diversol CXU; Insta-perm; Kaliumpermanganat [German]; Manganese potassium oxide (KMnO4); Permanganate de potassium [French]; Permanganate of potash; Permanganato potasico [Spanish]; Potassio (permanganato di) [Italian]; Potassium (permanganate de) [French]; Pure Light E 2; Solo San Soo; Walko Tablets; UN1490; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Inorganic Oxidizing Agents

Description

Purple odorless crystals; [HSDB]

Sources/Uses

Used to bleach textile fibers and skins, to dye wood and fabrics, to etch rubber and plastics, and to descale steel; Used in food processing, photography, leather tanning, and water purification; Used as an antiseptic, disinfectant, insecticide, miticide, and algaecide; [HSDB]

Comments

Dilute solutions are irritants and concentrated solutions caustic to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Toxic by ingestion--gastrointestinal burns, methemoglobinemia, and injury to liver and kidneys; [HSDB] If not flushed with water, can burn skin and stain it dark brown; [CHRIS] Inhalation of high concentrations of dust or mist may cause pulmonary edema in extreme exposures; May cause liver and kidney damage after ingestion; Lethal dose is about 10 grams; May cause manganese poisoning after chronic ingestion or inhalation; [CHEMINFO] Permanganate crystals and concentrated solutions are corrosive (release potassium hydroxide when contact water) and can induce methemoglobinemia after ingestion; [Olson, p. 133] See "Manganese" and linked occupational diseases.

Biomedical References

Yes

0.02 mg/m3, as Mn (respirable fraction), 0.1 mg/m3, as Mn (inhalable fraction)

Ceiling(OSHA)=5 mg/m3, as Mn

0.2 mg/m3, as MN (inhalable fraction), 0.02 mg/m3, as Mn (respirable fraction)

2.32E-20 mm Hg

Yes

MetHgb is secondary toxic effect

Parkinsonism

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Skin burns

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Manganese, chronic toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)
• Leather Tanning and Processing
• Photographic Processing
• Sewer and Wastewater Treatment
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)
• Using Disinfectants or Biocides