United States Office of Pesticide* and Toxic Substance*
Environmental Protection Office of Pestiade Programs (TS-766CI
Agency Washington, DC 20460
c/EPA Pesticide
Fact Sheet
Name Of Chemical: Potassium Permanganate
Reason for Issuance: Registration Standard
Date Issued: September 30, 1985
Fact Sheet Number: go
1. Description of Chemical
Generic Name: KMn04
Common Names: 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: Mlcrobloclde
U.S. and Foreign Producers: There are no registered products containing
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 algaecldal agent
In cooling towers, evaporative condensers, air wash systems, ornamental
ponds, cooling fountains, aquaria, human drinking water, and poultry
drinking water as applicable. Potassium permanganage 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 (1058), crystals (80* - 99.99?),
and powder
Types and methods of application: as a disinfectant, potassium
permanganate is diluted according to label directions and applied to
hard, nonporous, 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 active ingredient (a.l.)/500-1000 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.).
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3. Science Findings
Summary of science statement: “bottom line” of science information
listed below.
Chemical Characterist1i e:
Physical state: crystalline
Color: dark purple
Melting Point: decomposes at 240°C
Solubility: 6.38 gm/lOOm ], at 20°C 25 gm/lOOml at 65°C in water. Is
decomposed by organic solvents (e.g., alcohols) and reducing sub-
stances (e.g., iodate, oxalate, and ferrous salts, especially under
acidic conditions.
4. Toxicology Characteristics:
Acute Eye Irritation: Tox. CAT I
Skin Irritation: Tox. CAT I
Oral 50 Tox. CAT HI
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 LC 50 (97.5 — 100% a.i. tested):
Bluegill sunfish 2.7 — 3.6 /l
Tolerance Assessments: 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.
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.
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5. 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/i. Otherwise,
there are no formulation, manufacturing process or geographical
restrictions f or 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.
6. Summary of Major Data Gaps : NONE
7. Contact Person at EPA
Registration Division (TS—767C)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Pesticide Programs
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
Attn.: Marshall Swindell Telephone: (703)—557—3675
DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this Chemical Information Fact
Sheet is for informational purposes only and may not be used to fulfill
data requirements for pesticide registration and reregistration.
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