Potassium persulfate

Synonyms

Peroxydisulfuric acid, dipotassium salt; Anthion; Dipotassium peroxydisulfate; Dipotassium persulfate; Peroxydisulfuric acid (((HO)S(O)2)2O2), dipotassium salt; Potassium peroxydisulfate; Potassium peroxydisulfate (K2(S2O8)); Potassium peroxydisulphate; [ChemIDplus] UN1492

Category

Inorganic Oxidizing Agents

Description

Colorless to white, odorless solid; [Merck Index] Decomposes below 100 deg C; [CAMEO] Hygroscopic; [CHEMINFO] Colorless or white solid; Soluble in water; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Used to make soap (bleaching), promote polymerization, condition flour, and modify starch; Also used as a reducing agent in photography, a desizing agent in textiles, and an oxidizing agent for dyes; [HSDB]

Comments

Frequent skin rashes are reported in workers exposed to persulfates (S2O8). Rats inhaling 4-20 mg/m3 of ammonium persulfate 23.5 hours/day for 7 days show signs of lung inflammation and loss of body weight. The TLV is proposed to reduce irritation of skin, throat, and respiratory tract. [ACGIH] May cause skin sensitization; [CHEMINFO] May cause respiratory sensitization; [eChemPortal: NICNAS] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; May cause skin sensitization, dermatitis, and asthma after prolonged contact; "May cause general allergic reaction, like urticaria or shock." [ICSC] An irritant; May cause skin and respiratory sensitization after prolonged contact; [MSDSonline] It may induce either Type I reactions (urticaria, anaphylaxis, and asthma) or Type IV reactions (allergic contact dermatitis). [Kanerva, p. 1514] See "Ammonium persulfate."

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

0.1 mg/m3, as S2O8

LC50 (rat) > 10,725 mg/m3/4h

will not burn

Yes

Yes

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Asthma, occupational
• Contact dermatitis, allergic
• Contact urticaria

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Photographic Processing
• Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing)