1. Occurrence and Significance
Potassium permanganate, KMnO4, has been widely used in both potable and nonpotable water sources. It has been applied to water supplies to remove taste, odor, color, iron, manganese, and sulfides and to control trihalomethanes (THMs) and zebra mussels. Municipal and industrial waste treatment facilities use potassium permanganate for odor control, toxic pollutant destruction, bio-augmentation, and grease removal.
Potassium permanganate is produced as a dark black-purple crystalline material. It has a solubility in water of 60 g/L at 20 °C. The color of potassium permanganate solutions ranges from faint pink (dilute) to deep purple (concentrated). Under normal conditions, the solid material is stable. However, as with all oxidizing agents, avoid contact with acids, peroxides, and all combustible organic or readily oxidizable materials.