Potassium permanganate

Potassium permanganate

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_permanganate

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HB8S8WQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00HB8S8WQ&linkCode=as2&tag=survivalcom-20

http://www.fws.gov/fisheries/aadap/14_potassium%20permanganate/06_msdss/msds_9246_potassium%20permanganate.pdf

Two Letters Re: Toledo Water Crisis

The WHO article you mentioned says there’s another way to purify water tainted with microcystins, and it’s one of my favorite water purification methods because it can also be used as a wound cleanse, an antiseptic solution, an anti-fungal treatment for the hands and feet, a cholera disinfectant, a treatment for canker sores, a fire starter, and even a snow marker for an emergency signal. On top of all that, it’s less expensive per pound than calcium hypochlorite.

What is this wonder chemical? Potassium Permanganate (KMNO4) 98% 1lbPotassium Permanganate, also called “permanganate of potash” or “Condy’s crystals.” Read more about its survival uses here.

Some disadvantages: Calcium hypochlorite will purify about 100 times as many gallons. So you’re best buying lots of hypochlorite for most of your bulk needs and a little bit of permanganate for special cases, like mitocystins or bug-out bags. Permanganate is good for a bug-out bag, due to its multiples of uses, though you will want to mind the storage recommendations and warnings, such as flammability, so use a proper container.

More disadvantages: A little bit can quickly stain almost anything, and it seems like permanganate is more oxidizing/reactive/flammable than hypochlorite. However, I’m no chemist; do your research.

I’ve contemplated placing a few crystals in a coffee straw then sealing it with a lighter, then placing the straw inside one of those Altoids Smalls tins re-purposed as an EDC survival kit. Provided it meets the storage recommendations, I just might do it. – CDV

HJL Adds: If you are going to contemplate storing Potassium Permanganate, make sure you read the MSDS sheet. Pay particular attention to Section 10, “Stability and Reactivity”, and do not use a storage container that can potentially become shrapnel, such as glass. KMnO4 is such a strong oxidizer that if the right conditions exist, it can produce gas fast enough to simulate an explosive property.