Common Name: AMMONIUM PERMANGANATE CAS Number: 13446-10-1 DOT Number: NA 9190 ------------------------------------------------------------ Substance number: 0110 Date: February 1988 ------------------------------------------------------------ HAZARD SUMMARY * Ammonium Permanganate can affect you when breathed in. * Exposure to Ammonium Permanganate can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. * Contact can irritate the skin and eyes. * Ammonium Permanganate is a HIGHLY REACTIVE CHEMICAL and is a DANGEROUS EXPLOSION HAZARD. IDENTIFICATION Ammonium Permanganate is a violet-brown or dark purple, crystalline (sugar or sand-like) solid. REASON FOR CITATION * Ammonium Permanganate is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is REACTIVE. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. * If you think you are experiencing any work-related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS No occupational exposure limits have been established for Ammonium Permanganate. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Ammonium Permanganate. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Ammonium Permanganate to potentially exposed workers. HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Ammonium Permanganate: * Ammonium Permanganate can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. * Contact can cause eye and skin irritation. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Ammonium Permanganate and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Ammonium Permanganate has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Ammonium Permanganate has not been tested for ts ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long-Term Effects * Very irritating substances may affect the lungs. It is not known whether Ammonium Permanganate can cause lung damage. MEDICAL Medical Testing There is no special test for this chemical. However, if illness occurs or overexposure is suspected, medical attention is recommended. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following controls are recommended: * Before entering a confined space where Ammonium Permanganate may be present, check to make sure that an explosive concentration does not exist. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Ammonium Permanganate should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Ammonium Permanganate. * On skin contact with Ammonium Permanganate, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Ammonium Permanganate is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean-up. Do not dry sweep. FIRE HAZARDS * Ammonium Permanganate may explode at temperatures above 140oF. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Nitrogen Oxides and Ammonia. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Ammonium Permanganate is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean-up is complete. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * Keep Ammonium Permanganate out of a confined space, such as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer is designed to prevent the build-up of explosive concentrations. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Ammonium Permanganate as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Ammonium Permanganate you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Ammonium Permanganate must be stored to avoid contact with Heat, Friction, Organic and OXIDIZABLE MATERIAL, FUELS, and COMBUSTIBLES since violent reactions occur. * Always store Ammonium Permanganate at temperatures below 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). * Protect containers from shock as Ammonium Permanganate may explode. FIRST AID Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of water. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Soluble CHEMICAL NAME Permanganic Acid, Ammonium Salt