Sodium permanganate

Synonyms

Permanganate de sodium [French]; Permanganato sodico [Spanish]; Permanganic acid (HMnO4), sodium salt; Permanganic acid, sodium salt; [ChemIDplus] UN1503

Category

Manganese Compounds, Inorganic

Description

Trihydrate: Reddish-black solid; Very hygroscopic; [Merck Index] Red solid; [HSDB] Purplish solid; [CAMEO] Black-brown crystals; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Used as an oxidizing agent, disinfectant , bactericide, and antidote (poisoning by morphine, curare, or phosphorus); [Hawley] Used to etch plastic parts in printed circuit boards; Formerly used as an astringent in the treatment of urethritis; [HSDB]

Comments

A strong oxidizing agent; Fire hazard on contact with organic substances; [Hawley] A strong oxidizing agent; May ignite combustible substances; [CAMEO] Corrosive to skin and eyes; [eChemPortal: ERMA] Potassium permanganate crystals and concentrated solutions (greater than1:5000 strength) are corrosive (release potassium hydroxide when contact water); Permanganates can induce methemoglobinemia after ingestion; [Olson, p. 133] May cause fire on contact with combustible materials; A severe skin and eye irritant; [MSDSonline] See "Manganese" and linked occupational diseases.

Biomedical References

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)

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