According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, potassium permanganate is an inorganic chemical compound used primarily for its abilities to remove taste, color and odor, and as a disinfectant. Its chemical properties have made it useful for other chemical processes as well.

Disinfectant

According to experts at Cornell University, potassium permanganate is an effective surface disinfectant, sanitizer and deodorizer. Scientists have shown that it effectively kills bacteria, fungi and algae in water.

Water Treatment

According to the EPA, potassium permanganate is a primary alternative to chlorine as a water treatment compound. The EPA reports that some water treatment plants add a potassium permanganate solution to the raw water intake, upstream from water filters.

Disease Treatment

"What Doctors Don't Tell You," an online journal of alternative therapies, suggests that a solution of potassium permanganate is useful for the treatment of fungal diseases such as athlete's foot. Warm foot baths in a potassium permanganate solution help stop the oozing often associated with fungal disease.

Explosive

According to the International Programme on Chemical Safety, potassium permanganate, combined with other chemical compounds, can spark a fire or explosion. Libox Chem, a leading manufacturer of potassium permanganate, claims that the military sometimes uses the chemical to propel torpedoes.

Chemical reagent

According to the Journal of Chemical Industry, chemists use potassium permanganate as part of the manufacturing process for saccharine and ascorbic acid. The journal reports that potassium permanganate's oxidizing properties make it incredibly useful in breaking down other compounds into the building blocks of saccharine.

Source:

Environmental Protection Agency: Potassium Permanganate

Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry: Saccharine

International Chemical Safety Card: Potassium Permanganate

More Information:

Libox Chem: Potassium Permanganate

Cornell University: Chemical Fact Sheet

What Doctors Don't Tell You: Fungal Skin Diseases (registration required)