Does potassium permanganate have an expiration date? This is a common question. We will understand it in more detail.
Potassium permanganate, known in everyday life as manganese, is a potassium salt of manganese acid, which has been widely used in medicine as an antiseptic for washing wounds, burns, gargling, and, in addition, as an emetic. Among other things, this drug is used in the framework of gardening, water quality assessment, when tinting photographs and for other purposes. About what is the shelf life of potassium permanganate, we will tell further.
Deadlines
Russian law established that any chemicals that are used for medical purposes have established expiration dates, after which the product is not recommended for use. Manganese is not an exception to this rule.
How long can dry potassium permanganate be stored in crystals?
Pharmaceutical potassium permanganate, which is sold for medical purposes, is, first of all, a type of crystalline powder. Its manufacturers, as a rule, indicate a five-year shelf life of potassium permanganate in crystals, during which this tool can maintain its properties. An already prepared five-percent solution of potassium permanganate previously could be very often found in the field of sales. But at the moment, the distribution of such products is practically prohibited. The shelf life of potassium permanganate in this format ranged from one day to thirty days, depending on the degree of concentration, the tightness of the vials and the conditions of the chemical.
How long can potassium permanganate be kept in diluted form?
Not everyone knows the shelf life of diluted potassium permanganate.
Such a tool is prepared from crystals of potassium permanganate. It can be stored at home for no more than one to two days. It is best to keep the solution with this chemical in a glass sealed container in the refrigerator. In no case should such a tool be exposed to sunlight or any heat sources. After use, rinse the container from under the solution under running water without using soap and other detergents.
How to properly store such a drug at home?
Due to the danger of ignition of the chemical in question and its toxic properties for the human body, storage of potassium permanganate will require the following conditions to be met:
- It is necessary to keep the powder only in a closed glass container.
- All exposure to sunlight is required to be avoided.
- It is necessary to remove this powder in a place inaccessible to children, since in concentrated form it is extremely dangerous for the skin and any mucous membranes.
- It is forbidden to expose such a powder to high temperatures.
- It is impossible to keep potassium permanganate in the vicinity of any fats, and, in addition, oils, glycerin, phosphorus and sulfur, since otherwise there will be a risk of fire or explosion.
- In addition, the interaction of this chemical with active metals, for example, magnesium or aluminum, should be avoided, because in such a case an explosion could occur.
Thus, tightly closed bottles isolated from other chemical active agents are the best place to store potassium permanganate.
How to understand if potassium permanganate has not expired? Is it suitable for use?
What can happen with potassium permanganate in case of long-term storage? Subject to the conditions for the content of potassium permanganate is able to maintain its chemical quality for virtually unlimited time. In the case when this powder came into contact with water or, for example, with air, then potassium permanganate can lose its chemical property of the oxidizing agent and become useless from the point of view of medicine. Potassium permanganate in the form of a powder or a reagent solution has several signs, whose presence allows us to understand the deterioration of the chemical:
- In this case, part of the crystals may simply not dissolve in water; as a result, a crystalline precipitate forms.
- A five percent solution can be obtained in red, not raspberry, as prescribed in the instructions.
In the event that the crystals of the chemical are completely dissolved in water, and its color fully complies with expectations, then you can safely use this tool for all necessary purposes. And what if the shelf life of dry potassium permanganate is over?
Find out if an expired product can be used.
Can I use expired?
In the event that potassium permanganate is preserved in compliance with all basic rules, and the solution has the necessary color and no precipitate precipitates from crystals that are not dissolved in water, then such a tool is quite suitable for further use. Even in situations where the shelf life of potassium permanganate has long ended. These indicators guarantee the preservation of the chemical properties and safety of the use of the reagent.
Despite the fact that in the field of pharmacology there are many different antiseptic agents, this chemical does not lose its popularity, which is noted because of the ease of preparation, versatility and long shelf life. Subject to the rules, this drug is able to be suitable forever, and to analyze the quality of potassium permanganate is quite simple: you just need to make a solution of it. Next, we find out what people write in the comments about the shelf life of this drug.
Reviews
In reviews, people are advised never to use enamelled and iron containers for breeding granules and keeping the product in question. Such a measure can significantly reduce the shelf life of the solution. In the comments, people recommend preparing the liquid in a glass dish. It is also reported that this chemical can often be used even after the expiration date. But first, you should perform a test for the suitability of the product and find out if it has deteriorated.
Thus, potassium permanganate is one of the most commonly used antimicrobial agents in everyday life. This chemical is produced in powder, and its shelf life is virtually unlimited.