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Chemical safety

Potassium permanganate: hazards and COSHH prompts

Strong oxidising solid that reacts vigorously with organic material.

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Always work from your own safety data sheet. Classification varies with grade, concentration and supplier. Use this page to orient yourself, then assess the task you are actually doing, at the scale you are actually doing it.

Hazard classification

CAS
7722-64-7
Formula
KMnO4
Molecular weight
158.034
Signal word
Danger

GHS pictograms

Flame over circleExclamation markHealth hazardEnvironmentCorrosion

Hazard statements

  • H272May intensify fire; oxidiser
  • H302Harmful if swallowed
  • H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
  • H318Causes serious eye damage
  • H335May cause respiratory irritation
  • H341Suspected of causing genetic defects
  • H361Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
  • H370Causes damage to organs
  • H372Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
  • H373May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
  • H400Very toxic to aquatic life
  • H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
Precautionary statements (29)
  • P203Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
  • P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
  • P220Keep away from clothing and other combustible materials.
  • P260Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
  • P264+P265Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P273Avoid release to the environment.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P301+P317IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
  • P301+P330+P331IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
  • P302+P361+P354IF ON SKIN: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
  • P304+P340IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P305+P354+P338IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P308+P316IF exposed or concerned: Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P317Get medical help.
  • P318If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
  • P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P321Specific treatment — see the safety data sheet.
  • P330Rinse mouth.
  • P363Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
  • P370+P378In case of fire: Use appropriate extinguishing media.
  • P391Collect spillage.
  • P403+P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional and national regulations.

Classification data from PubChem CID 516875 , retrieved automatically and refreshed weekly. PubChem aggregates from multiple suppliers; entries can differ from the SDS for your grade.

What your COSHH assessment has to answer

Based on the hazard classes above. These are prompts, not answers — the right control depends on your task, your quantities and your room.

Because it is acutely toxic

  • Which exposure route is credible for your task — inhalation, skin, or both?
  • Is containment engineered (fume hood, cabinet) rather than relying on PPE?
  • What is the first-aid response, and is the material for it actually at the point of use?
  • Is lone working with this restricted?

Because it burns or irritates skin and eyes

  • Is eye protection specified for the actual task, including splash risk when pouring?
  • Are the gloves rated for this substance and this contact time?
  • Where is the nearest eyewash, and when was it last flushed and checked?

Because it is a carcinogen, mutagen or reproductive hazard

  • Has substitution been considered, and is the reason for not substituting recorded?
  • Is exposure reduced as low as reasonably practicable, not merely below a limit?
  • Are new and expectant mothers specifically considered?
  • Is health surveillance or exposure monitoring expected for this work?

Because it can damage organs

  • Is the exposure repeated or long-term rather than one-off?
  • Is there an exposure limit to design the controls around?
  • Are users told what early symptoms look like and who to report them to?

Because it is oxidising or reactive

  • What is it stored next to, and are incompatibles genuinely separated?
  • Can the reaction run away — and is the container vented if it can pressurise?
  • Is the waste route separate from organic and solvent waste?

Because it is hazardous to the environment

  • Is drain disposal ruled out, and does everyone know that?
  • Is the waste container labelled at the point of generation?
  • Is the disposal contractor's consignment paperwork in order?

Others in oxidisers & reactives

Sodium azide

Preservative in buffers and reagents that is acutely toxic and forms explosive metal azides in drains.

Read

Hydrogen peroxide (30%)

Strong oxidiser whose concentrated form behaves nothing like the pharmacy bottle.

Read

Silver nitrate

Corrosive oxidiser used in staining and analysis, with significant aquatic toxicity.

Read

Stop rebuilding this by hand

Keep Potassium permanganate — and everything else — in one inventory.

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