Potassium Permanganate

I saw the Doug carries Potassium Permanganate in his PSK, and I did some research on line, and the only use I found for PP is in controlling Algea and Bacteria in Koi ponds. Just wondering what application this would be used for in a PSK. Thanks in advance.

Mate it has a few uses,
Water sterilization, antiseptic and when mixed with sugar it causes a spark (fire).
Hope this helps
Pegasus

Pegasus,

How is it used for water sterilization and as an antiseptic?
Are there any measurments of usage?

You mix it by colour - dark purple for antiseptic, meths colour (light prurple) for purification.

It's also great for marking snow - a tiny pinch carried by the wind will leave a massive purple stain - in water it's less effective, but better than nothing I guess

wind and potasium permangate are bad combinations, if it gets in to your eye, you will be blind.

if i rember correctly 2 crystals per quarter for purification and 4 for antiseptic. I have posted the omount of crystals on a potassium permangate long time ago, try to use the search option to check it out.

Where can you buy it at? A pet store? Or, is it difficult to find?

I found some on eBay, got 4 ounces of power crystals for like 4.00 plus shipping. if you like I can send some your way in a zip lock. Let me know.

go to www.chemistrystore.com they sell it in 2lb jugs cost is around 11.00 us. it's plenty more than you'll ever need!

Just be VERY careful with it, and read the Material Safety Data Sheet thourougly. In its granular state it is a poison, as well as a strong oxidizer.

The granules are very small, much like fine sand. I have dropped some on the countertop and only noticed that i done so when I used a damp towel to clean up and noticed the purple streaks on the towel and the counter. It stains like the dickens.

When first experimenting with it I recommend doing so indoors using latex gloves and goggles. Once youre comfy with handling it just make sure to wipe down all surfaces completely, and wash your hands.

For antiseptic wash/rinse for use on cuts, puncture wounds, abrasions etc, put enough granules an any given amount of water ( 1 cup, quart, or gallon: it makes no difference ) until the water becomes medium/deep pink in color.

For antifungal applications do the same thing as above but add granules until the water is red like blood. Be advised , if used on the feet for athletes foot or other fungal stuff it works like a dream, but will turn your toenails chocolate brown, as well as any callouses.

Since I couldnt find any reliable info on ratios of granules per quart of water for safe-non poisonous water purification for human consumption I dont use it for that.

Hope this helps

I don't suppose the MSDS is available online anywhere? For those of us who would like to read it before shelling out $11.00 plus shipping for something that could kill us....

Considering its potential as a poison, better check postal regulations, especially in todays atmosphere. Some crazy postal inspector may get anxious if the package is searched and they find powdered granules in a zip lock bag.

Bountyhunter

Yea, that's never good. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I was talking to my old science teacher about it today and he said it's pretty nasty stuff if you don't know what your doing with it. He said if you are going to use it for water purification use it only in emergencys and not for a long period of time.

Check this out. Not much help tho...

http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/PO/potassium_permanganate.html

It is legal to send via the mail in powder form. I checked after I received the 4 oz I got in the mail. Offer is still open if anyone is looking for some for a kit.

Call the phone number for the Chemistry Store posted on the website and I'm sure they'll fax or email it to you ...

But, if you simply do a google search for : "potassium permanganate MSDS" .....you can find it easily online.....

Its a VERY useful chemical. But, it is a powerful oxidizer, and poisonous in solid form and super concentrated liquid solutions.

I suggest doing any mailing of it " by the numbers " as it can also be used in larger quantities to manufacture a secondary explosive. Mess around and start mailing it in violation of Postal Laws, and the FBI could come knocking at the door.

operation purple by various police forces around the world specifically tracks large amounts of potassium permanganate in shipping to make sure it is not diverted to the drugs trade. Used in the manufacture of either cocaine or heroin. sorry cant remember off hand which. this is likely to be more of a problem with the FBI than its use to manufacture home made explosives. At the amounts we are talking here they are liable to be uninterested. Shipping through the mail should be ok.

As for the advice to practice use indoors. I would suggest outdoors when there is no wind. This stuff stains incredibly well. Most things will stain dark brown not purple. The solution is purple but it usually stains brown. These stains usually will not come off. Leaving it in glass overnight will even stain the glass. Conc nitric wont even remove these stains. you have to use chromic acid. Will stain skin brown as well which wears off eventually.

Please note that potassium permanganate is not as soluble in water as it appears. Very small quantities turn the water an opaque purple. If you try to dissolve a lot of it then the crystals will still be at the bottom of the solution and will dissolve slowly. You just wont be able to see them.

If anyone wants an MSDS you can get one from Sigma-Aldrich.

Condy’s Crystals - Potassium Permanganate ( KMnO4 )

- There are several things you should know about the kit. The Condy’s Crystals are known in the US as potassium permanganate. Three of the crystals (each about the size of a grain of sugar) are mixed with a quart of water to make it potable. The small vial has enough crystals to purify 300 gallons of water. The water should be a pale pink in color. If more crystals are dissolved until the water turns red, the solution can be used as a topical antiseptic. Diluting more crystals to obtain a deep purple solution makes an external fungicide against athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm. In addition, a small amount, about half the size of a dime, can be mixed with an equal amount of the crushed glucose tablet to start a fire. This can be done using the flint striker, a magnifying lens, friction (such as scraping the side of the knife blade across the mixture on a hard surface) or by adding glycerin from an advanced first aid kit or some brake fluids. BE CAREFUL WITH THIS PROCEDURE AND USE SMALL AMOUNTS OF THE MIXTURE. IGNITION WILL CREATE SPARKS UP TO A FOOT HIGH. DO NOT PRE-MIX WITH SUGAR AND STORE!


David Alloway's Book "Desert Survival Skills". He is the retailer of the Australian Mk III kit .