I found the following abstracts while searching for info on the toxicity levels of KMnO4 (Potassium Permanganate). I have used, and will continue to use, iodine (Potable Aqua™ tablets or 2% Tincture of Iodine solution) for my main water purification method. I do carry KMnO4 as a backup in my PSK, taped inside the pocket of my canteens, and in various knife-based kits.
My problem: I got a “D” in chemistry in high school and my medical knowledge is mainly gleaned from trips to the ER. Does anyone here have any idea what the actual dosage of potassium permanganate is if you add three or four sugar grain-sized crystals to one liter of water? Apparently from the following abstracts a dosage of 5 – 10 grams can be lethal. The recommended dosage for water purification is far below this but how far?
What is the comparative health risk of ingesting a water purification dosage of KMnO4 as opposed to the standard dosages of Iodine used for the same purpose (5 to 10 drops of 2% Iodine solution per liter)? Mac
KmnO4 Toxicity
IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP A case of corrosive burns to the mouth, esophagus and trachea in a 3-yr-old boy who ingested 5-10 g of potassium permanganate (I) is presented. The mouth was washed repeatedly with water. He was given 2 glasses of milk. Laryngoscopy revealed edema of his upper airway. He was intubated to prevent upper airway obstruction secondary to progression of the edema. The child received an intravenous administration every 6 h of ampicillin 50 mg/kg and hydrocortisone 4 mg/kg. The laryngeal edema resolved and he was extubated 3 days later. A follow up esophagoscopy at 7 days showed normal mucosa and he was discharged. A plasma manganese level performed on day 4 was 4.1 mcg/l, one month later this had fallen to 1.5 mcg/l.
The pathogenesis of the systematic toxic effects of potassium-permanganate (7722647) (KMnO4) was examined, based on the case history of a suicidal ingestion. The patient was admitted to the hospital 1 hour after ingestion of about 5 to 10 grams of KMnO4 crystals, with hands, lips and oropharynx stained dark brown. She was treated with activated charcoal and antibiotics. Alanine-amino-transferase (ALT) and lactate-dehydrogenase (LD) levels increased significantly by day two. Acute hepatic necrosis and progressive cardiovascular failure developed. N-acetyl-cysteine was administered 48 hours after ingestion. ALT and LD levels peaked at day three. On day six she died of complications arising from hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, and respiratory failures. Postmortem examinations revealed significantly higher whole blood and tissue manganese (7439965) concentrations, relative to a control autopsy. The authors conclude that oxidizing free radicals generated by the permanganate ion are predominantly toxic to the liver and kidneys, perhaps due to the high blood flow through these organs. They recommend that N-acetyl-cysteine, a reducing agent, be administered as soon as possible after KMnO4 ingestion.
IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP A case of a 66-yr-old man who ingested 125 ml of an 8% solution of potassium permanganate (10 gm) over a 4 wk period is reported. Neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms are discussed. Treatment with pentetate calcium trisodium decreased serum levels and increased urine excretion of manganese. Nine months after poisoning, the first sign of progressive Parkinson disease become evident.
My problem: I got a “D” in chemistry in high school and my medical knowledge is mainly gleaned from trips to the ER. Does anyone here have any idea what the actual dosage of potassium permanganate is if you add three or four sugar grain-sized crystals to one liter of water? Apparently from the following abstracts a dosage of 5 – 10 grams can be lethal. The recommended dosage for water purification is far below this but how far?
What is the comparative health risk of ingesting a water purification dosage of KMnO4 as opposed to the standard dosages of Iodine used for the same purpose (5 to 10 drops of 2% Iodine solution per liter)? Mac
KmnO4 Toxicity
IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP A case of corrosive burns to the mouth, esophagus and trachea in a 3-yr-old boy who ingested 5-10 g of potassium permanganate (I) is presented. The mouth was washed repeatedly with water. He was given 2 glasses of milk. Laryngoscopy revealed edema of his upper airway. He was intubated to prevent upper airway obstruction secondary to progression of the edema. The child received an intravenous administration every 6 h of ampicillin 50 mg/kg and hydrocortisone 4 mg/kg. The laryngeal edema resolved and he was extubated 3 days later. A follow up esophagoscopy at 7 days showed normal mucosa and he was discharged. A plasma manganese level performed on day 4 was 4.1 mcg/l, one month later this had fallen to 1.5 mcg/l.
The pathogenesis of the systematic toxic effects of potassium-permanganate (7722647) (KMnO4) was examined, based on the case history of a suicidal ingestion. The patient was admitted to the hospital 1 hour after ingestion of about 5 to 10 grams of KMnO4 crystals, with hands, lips and oropharynx stained dark brown. She was treated with activated charcoal and antibiotics. Alanine-amino-transferase (ALT) and lactate-dehydrogenase (LD) levels increased significantly by day two. Acute hepatic necrosis and progressive cardiovascular failure developed. N-acetyl-cysteine was administered 48 hours after ingestion. ALT and LD levels peaked at day three. On day six she died of complications arising from hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, and respiratory failures. Postmortem examinations revealed significantly higher whole blood and tissue manganese (7439965) concentrations, relative to a control autopsy. The authors conclude that oxidizing free radicals generated by the permanganate ion are predominantly toxic to the liver and kidneys, perhaps due to the high blood flow through these organs. They recommend that N-acetyl-cysteine, a reducing agent, be administered as soon as possible after KMnO4 ingestion.
IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP A case of a 66-yr-old man who ingested 125 ml of an 8% solution of potassium permanganate (10 gm) over a 4 wk period is reported. Neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms are discussed. Treatment with pentetate calcium trisodium decreased serum levels and increased urine excretion of manganese. Nine months after poisoning, the first sign of progressive Parkinson disease become evident.