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potassium permanganate Chemical Fact Sheet 9/85

                     CHEMICAL FACT SHEET FOR:
                      POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE

FACT SHEET NUMBER:  80

DATE ISSUED:  SEPTEMBER 30, 1985


                  1.  DESCRIPTION OF CHEMICAL

- Generic Name:  KMnD4
- Common Name:  potassium permanganate
- Trade Names:  None
- EPA Shaughnessy Code:  068501
- Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Number:  7722-64-7
- Year of Initial Registration:  1962
- Chemical Family:  inorganic compound
- Pesticide Type:  microbiocide
- U.S. and Foreign Producers:  There are no registered products con-
  taining potassium permanganate.  Potassium permanganate used in
  pesticide products is derived from commercial producers.


              2.  USE PATTERNS AND FORMULATIONS

- Application sites:  As a bactericidal, fungicidal, and algaecidal
  agent in cooling towers, evaporative condensers, air wash systems,
  ornamental ponds, cooling fountains, aquaria, human drinking water,
  and poultry drinking water as applicable.  Potassium permanganate
  is also used as a surface disinfectant, sanitizer, and deodorizer.
- Types of formulations:  Formulations include ready-to-use liquids
  (0.004%-2.5%), pelleted/tableted (40%), crystals (80%-99.99%), and
  powder (41%).
- Types and methods of application:  As a disinfectant, potassium
  permanganate is diluted according to label directions and applied to
  hard, non-porous, inanimate surfaces.  For the other uses described
  above, potassium permanganate is added directly to the water to be
  treated.
- Application rates:  For cooling towers, air washers, and evaporative
  condensers, use 3.6 oz. of a.i./500-1,000 gal. of water, or 27-62
  ppm a.i.  For aquaria and ornamental ponds, use 4 ppm a.i. to control
  algae growth.  For human drinking water treatment, use 1.1 mg of
  product per gal. of water (i.e., 4.4-4.5 ppm).  For poultry drinking
  water, use 0.648 to 1.296 grains of product per quart of water
  (i.e., 272-543 ppm a.i.).


                       3.  SCIENCE FINDINGS

Chemical Characteristics

- Physical state:  crystalline
- Color:  dark purple
- Melting point:  decomposes at 240 degrees C
- Solubility:  6.38 gm/100 ml at 20 degrees C or 25 gm/100 ml at 65
  degrees C in water. Is decomposed by organic solvents (e.g., alcohols)
  and reducing substances (e.g., iodate, oxalate, and ferrous salts),
  especially under acidic conditions).


Toxicological Characteristics

- Acute eye irritation:  Toxicity Category I
- Skin irritation:  Toxicity Category I
- Oral LD50:  Toxicity Category III
- Major routes of exposure:  Dermal and oral
- Chronic toxicology:  There are no chronic toxicity data on file
  with the Agency.  Based on considerations regarding the chemical
  reactivity of the permanganate ion and the ubiquity of manganese,
  there are no chronic or subchronic toxicity data requirements.


Environmental Characteristics

- No data are available to assess the environmental fate of potassium
  permanganate.


Ecological Characteristics

- Freshwater fish LC50 (97.5-100% a.i. tested):  Bluegill sunfish,
  2.7-3.6 mg/l.


Tolerance Assessment

- Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDC), a tolerance
  or an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance is required for
  the residues of manganese in poultry and eggs (which result from
  the poultry drinking water use pattern).  The Agency is requesting
  that the registrant petition the Agency for an exemption from the
  requirement of a tolerance.


Problems Known to Have Occurred With Use of the Chemical

- No problems have been reported to the Agency (i.e., PIMS or data in
  reference to Section 6(a)(2) of the Act) with respect to the use of
  this chemical.


           4.  SUMMARY OF REGULATORY POSITION AND RATIONALE

- The Agency has determined that potassium permanganate products to
  be used in treating human drinking water must bear labeling
  directions which would limit the residues of manganese in the
  finished potable water to not more than 0.05 mg/l.  Otherwise,
  there are no formulation, manufacturing process, or geographical
  restrictions for potassium permanganate registrations.
- Unique warning statement:  Environmental Hazards.  Do not discharge
  effluent containing this product into lakes, ponds, streams,
  estuaries, oceans, or public water unless this product is
  specifically identified and addressed in an NPDES permit.  Do not
  discharge effluent containing this product to sewer systems without
  previously notifying the sewage treatment plant authority.  For
  guidance, contact your State Water Board or Regional Office of the
  EPA.
- A risk assessment has not been conducted on this chemical.


                   5.  SUMMARY OF MAJOR DATA GAPS

- None


                      6.  CONTACT PERSON AT EPA

Marshall Swindell
Registration Division (TS-767C)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Pesticide Programs
401 M Street S.W.
Washington, DC  20460
703/557-3675


DISCLAIMER:  THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS CHEMICAL INFORMATION FACT 
SHEET IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT TO BE USED TO FULFILL
DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR PESTICIDE REGISTRATION AND REREGISTRATION.
 

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