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Potassium Permanganate
Potassium permanganate (PP) is a powerful oxidizing agent and a widely used
chemical, with bacterial and algicidal properties. PP is not native in the earth’s
crust and is produced by thermal oxidation of manganese dioxide [MnO2, Mn(IV)].
In most applications, the soluble permanganate ion is reduced to insoluble
manganese dioxide. PP is used in fish restoration projects to neutralize Rotenone
and antimycin A.
According to the authors of “Limitations on Potassium Permanganate Detoxification of
actinomycin, ( 1 ) PP rapidly detoxifies antimycin to a toxicity level of about 4% of the
original concentration. Excess rotenone may be converted to products of lower toxicity
by introduction of potassium permanganate but studies have not been done. (MacMillan,
2009)
Health Effects of Potassium Permanganate
If swallowed PP can cause nausea, vomiting, burns to the mouth and throat and
gastrointestinal irritation. From contact it can cause severe irritation or burns to the eye
and skin. Prolonged inhalation can cause an increase in body manganese or manganism.
Thus PP is a caustic alkali. Target organs include the respiratory system, central nervous
system, blood, kidneys, skin and eyes.
According to PAN pesticides database (2010) PP has toxicity to humans including
carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, and acute
toxicity. Macmillan (3) raisies important questions about PP because hardly
anything is known including “What is its mechanism of action”? Is PP really a
therapeutic drug, a pesticide, what is it and how can we ensure it is used safely for
its intended purpose and in a manner that protects public health”? he further
states” While there is not a published, systematic review of how PP is commonly used
in aquaculture, experience by several aquaculturusts, fish health managers and
fisheries managers identify” certain characteristics. In other words, the findings
published on PP so far, are mostly anecdotal! Ecologically it is toxic to aquatic
organisms. It can kill algae which provides oxygen for fish and kill phytoplankton
and macrophytes that fish use for food. Unknown is it’s interaction effects with
rotenone and petroleum carriers. Material safety data sheets are not available for
PP. The acute rating from U.S. EPA product labels is “Highly Toxic”. No data is
found on inert ingredients. The effects of chronic toxicity are unknown. The
environmental fate of PP in streams and ponds is unknown. For specific
descriptions and limited studies see Potassium Permanganate White Paper prepared
by John R MacMillan and reviewed by Dave Erdahl, Steve Sharon, and John Boll
attached.
1. Mississippi State University Extension Service,MSU Cares,Potassium Permanganate
for Fish Ponds”, http//www.msccares.com/pubs/is1265.htm
2. PAN Pesticides Database Chemical Potassium Permanganate
.http//www.pesticideinfo.org. 2010.
3. Macmillan JR, Potassium Permanganate: What is it and how can we ensure it is safely
used in US Aquaculture. 2009 Accessed April 2010, www.fws.gov