UN 1490 — Potassium permanganate
Placard: Oxidizer. ERG Guide 140. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 1490 is Potassium permanganate, a Class 5 permanganate oxidizer assigned to ERG Guide 140. It can intensify fire and react dangerously with organics, acids or reducing agents.
Hazard overview: UN 1490 presents oxidizer, contamination and toxic smoke/runoff hazards. Keep away from fuels, organic material and reducing agents, and prevent dust or solution from reaching drains where possible.
Response guidance: For a UN 1490 incident, responders should verify the product with shipping papers, package markings, SDS and ERG Guide 140. Establish incident command, isolate the area, stay upwind, keep fuels and organics away, avoid contaminated absorbents and choose extinguishing or spill-control actions based on ERG, SDS and local SOP.
Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 1490 should emphasize oxygen-release/decomposition behavior, contamination control, incompatibility with fuels or organics, heating hazards and correct extinguishing decisions. Use ERG 140, SDS and local SOP.
Regulatory context: Potassium permanganate is regulated as a hazardous material for transportation and emergency response purposes. Transportation, workplace exposure, spill reporting, waste handling, storage and environmental requirements may vary by formulation, quantity and jurisdiction. Verify current requirements through shipping papers, SDS, facility documents and applicable DOT, OSHA, EPA, NFPA, state or local authority guidance.
Storage & handling: Potassium permanganate should be stored in compatible oxidizer storage away from fuels, organic materials, reducing agents, acids where incompatible, heat, ignition sources and contamination. Keep containers closed, dry, clearly labeled and separated from combustible packaging or spilled residues.
UN 1490 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 1490
- OXIDIZER: may intensify fire and accelerate burning of combustible materials.
- May decompose or react vigorously if heated or contaminated.
- May ignite combustibles such as wood, paper, oil, clothing, packaging or contaminated absorbents.
- Permanganates may react violently with organic materials, acids, reducing agents, sulfur or finely divided combustibles.
- Containers may rupture or explode when heated.
- Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff may spread oxidizing material and create fire, explosion or environmental hazards.
- Dust, solution or decomposition products may irritate or injure eyes, skin or respiratory tissue.
- Permanganate dust or strong solution may stain and irritate skin, eyes and respiratory tissue.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Dark purple to bronze-black crystalline solid with a slight sweetish odor. Odorless when pure. Density approximately 2.7 g/cm³.
| Also known as | Permanganate of potashChameleon mineralCondy's crystalsPotassium salt of permanganic acid |
| CAS Number | 7722-64-7 |
| Appearance | Dark purple to bronze-black crystalline solid with a slight sweetish odor. Odorless when pure. Density approximately 2.7 g/cm³. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable oxidizing solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes at 240C/464F) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | Soluble in water forming purple solution; no violent reaction but solution is oxidizing |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1490
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use positive-pressure SCBA for fire, dust, decomposition or confined-space exposure. Chemical-resistant gloves, eye/face protection and protective clothing should be selected from SDS and incident command.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 1490 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper, if available.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Keep combustibles, fuels, organics, reducing agents and contaminated materials away from the spill.
- Do not touch or walk through spilled material unless properly trained and wearing appropriate protective equipment.
- Avoid creating dust clouds and prevent runoff from contacting combustibles, drains or incompatible materials when possible.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained, equipped and authorized by incident command.
- Isolate the spill or fire area and expand the perimeter if large quantities, contamination, heating or container involvement are present.
- Use ERG Guide 140, shipping papers, SDS and local SOP for protective actions and entry decisions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1490 — Potassium permanganateUse for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS.