What are the dangers of potassium permanganate?

Answer 1

potassium dichromate
Emergency Overview
DANGER! STRONG OXIDIZER. CONTACT WITH OTHER MATERIAL MAY CAUSE A FIRE. CORROSIVE. CAUSES SEVERE BURNS TO EVERY AREA OF CONTACT. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. AFFECTS THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM, LIVER, KIDNEYS, EYES, SKIN AND BLOOD. MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC REACTION. CANCER HAZARD. CAN CAUSE CANCER. Risk of cancer depends on duration and level of exposure.


Potential Health Effects

Inhalation:
Corrosive. Extremely destructive to tissues of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. May cause ulceration and perforation of the nasal septum. Symptoms may include sore throat, coughing, shortness of breath, and labored breathing. May produce pulmonary sensitization or allergic Asthma. Higher exposures may cause pulmonary edema.

Ingestion:
Corrosive. Swallowing can cause severe burns of the mouth, throat, and stomach, leading to death. Can cause sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea. May cause violent gastroenteritis, peripheral vascular collapse, dizziness, intense thirst, muscle cramps, shock, coma, abnormal bleeding, fever, liver damage and acute renal failure.

Skin Contact:
Corrosive. Symptoms of redness, pain, and severe burn can occur. Dusts and strong solutions may cause severe irritation. Contact with broken skin may cause ulcers (chrome sores) and absorption, which may cause systemic poisoning, affecting kidney and liver functions. May cause skin sensitization.

Eye Contact:
Corrosive. Contact can cause blurred vision, redness, pain and severe tissue burns. May cause corneal injury or blindness.

Chronic Exposure:
Repeated or prolonged exposure can cause ulceration and perforation of the nasal septum, respiratory irritation, liver and kidney damage and ulceration of the skin. Ulcerations at first may be painless, but may penetrate to the bone producing "chrome holes." Known to be a human carcinogen.

Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders, asthma, Allergies or known sensitization to chromic acid or chromates may be more susceptible to the effects of this material. ========== Inhalation:
Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention immediately.

Ingestion:
If swallowed, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give large quantities of water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin Contact:
Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical attention immediately. Wash clothing before reuse. Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse.

Eye Contact:
Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention immediately. Fire:
Not combustible, but substance is a strong oxidizer and its heat of reaction with reducing agents or combustibles may cause ignition. Releases oxygen, upon decomposition, which enhances combustion.

Explosion:
Contact with oxidizable substances may cause extremely violent combustion.

Fire Extinguishing Media:
Flood with large amounts of water. Water spray may be used to keep fire exposed containers cool. Do not allow water runoff to enter sewers or waterways.

Special Information:
In the event of a fire, wear full protective clothing and NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in the pressure demand or other positive pressure mode.

Answer 2

Potassium permanganate is a crystaline substance, that dissolves easily in water. In small doses it is a very useful antisceptic, and used for healing wounds, similar to iodine.

It leaves a purple - brown stain on skin and finger nails for a week or two, however it has little other deangerous side effects in using it as a medicine.

I believe it can be used as a component in explosives, but I'm not entirely sure how.

Answer 3

Potassium permanganate is a strong oxidizing agent and can cause skin irritation, burns, and staining. Ingestion or inhalation of potassium permanganate can lead to serious health issues, such as tissue damage, respiratory distress, and gastrointestinal problems. It should be handled with care and appropriate personal protective equipment to prevent these dangers.