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Wow thanks so much for this reply. Unfortunately this happened yesterday. This would of been helpful. It wasn't actually a spill. It was solid form. I did research and the pellets are actually alumina pellets and contain water and potassium Permanganate so it should of been diluted from the start. Which explains why it was lighter pink and not dark purple when I dropped them in the sink. Then again I'm not a chemist. Forgive me if I didn't take the proper cautions when disposing. I looked up iq air potassium Permanganate saftey data sheet on Google and it popped up the ingredients. Since you are a pro at this maybe you can take a look. I attached the file. If not that's ok. My mom helped me clean up. Although we didn't do exactly like you said with lots of water we wiped down the table and floor with a white cloth with water. The white cloth was clean. Then after with one cup vingar and one eater. if there was any left wouldn't there be pink stains on the cloth since it was a tiny bit wet??? It wasn't soaked the towel but just between damp and wet. Just for peace of mind I'm glad I didn't see any pink. I then vacuumed the floor. I hope that didn't make it worse because vaccuums exaust. Since it wasn't poweder it should have caused dust to go everywhere right? It really wasn't alot. A few pellets. I'm just concerned if I missed one tiny pellet here and there. I did my best. Then after cleaning my mother laid on my couch and I freak out cuz she didn't change her clothes but there wasn't anything on her. That's my OCD talking so please don't judge me lolSweep up as much of the potassium permanganate while it is dry, using a dust pan and broom or similar.
Do your best not to kick up too much dust which will cause the fine powder to spread and make the mess worse.
Scoop it into a plastic bag, tie it up then put the bag into another sturdy container and seal it with a tight lid until you can dispose of it.
Clean up the remainder of the potassium permanganate with lots and lots of water then finish with hydrogen peroxide.
Peroxide will react with the permanganate and make the purple color disappear.
Potassium permanganate is not poisonous in small amounts. It is often used to disinfect drinking water. You might find packets of potassium permangante in emergency water purification kits used for camping or survival. If you dilute the permanganate enough it won't be harmful. This is why I said to use lots of water to clean it up.
Unfortunately, if you spill the stuff it's like opening Pandora's box! Even a small amount, when spilled, can make a big purple stain. Diluting with water only gets you so far. The purple stains can remain even after dilution.
Hydrogen peroxide chemically reacts with potassium permanganate. Technically, the peroxide will REDUCE the manganese ions from oxidation state VII to oxidation state II. When it is at oxidation state VII, permanganate looks purple but, at oxidation state II, it is colorless. This reaction happens faster when the solution has a lower, acidic, pH value. If you use a moderate amount of white vinegar it should create the acidic conditions necessary to make the reaction work.
The toxicity level of potassium permanganate is something along 1,000 mg. / 1 kg. of body weight.
That's moderately low. It works out to something on the order of 1/4 of a teaspoon full for every pound of weight.
If you have a ten pound cat it would take two teaspoons full of the stuff.
That, having been said, potassium permanganate IS A STRONG CHEMICAL!
It has similar properties to chlorine bleach. When you use it or, as in your case, when you have to clean it up, take the same precautions you would take if you were handling bleach.
• WEAR PROTECTIVE GLOVES!
• WEAR PROTECTIVE GOGGLES!
• WEAR A PROTECTIVE APRON!
• If you get the stuff on you, wash with LOTS of COOL WATER for at least ten minutes.
• If it gets on your clothes, IMMEDIATELY take them off and wash in LOTS of WATER then launder before wearing again.
• If the stuff causes a reaction on your skin (itching, burning, rash, etc.) go to a doctor IMMEDIATELY!
• If it gets into your eyes, nose, mouth or other sensitive areas of your body, IMMEDIATELY wash with with LOTS of COOL WATER for at least ten minutes then go to a doctor IMMEDIATELY!
The best way to dispose of potassium permanganate (at the household level) is to dilute with lots of water then put it down the drain to a municipal sewer system. (Not a septic tank.) Small amounts that you might encounter in a household situation can simply be flushed down the toilet. Potassium permanganate is used in municipal water and sewage treatment, anyhow. Technically, you'd be doing the city Sewer Department a favor.
DO NOT allow potassium permanganate to mix with other chemicals, except water.
The things I mentioned above (peroxide and vinegar) are okay because they tend to deactivate potassium permanganate when used in small amounts, although you should be aware that even this reaction might cause the release of heat and oxygen gas. However, when we're dealing with small amounts of these substances, diluted with a large amount of water, you should not have to worry. Especially, do not allow potassium permanganate to mix with things like antifreze (glycol/glycerine) solutions or any kind of petroleum product. There is a small chance that a problem could occur if this happens. Even though that chance is small the amount of damage that can occur could be large. Extra precaution is warranted. Better safe than sorry. Right?
Botton line:
Wear personal protection.
Clean up with lots of water.
Remove any stains with hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar.
Dispose small amounts down the sewer (not the septic tank) using lots of water to dilute.
Clean yourself and your clothes with lots of water and soap.
If you have any symptoms, go to a doctor.
FYI: I am an industrial chemical technician and I use potassium permangante as part of my job on a regular basis.
This is a summary of the things I do when I have to work with potassium permanganate.
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