Agent Name |
Potassium bisulfite |
CAS Number |
7773-03-7 |
Formula |
H2-O3-S.K |
Major Category |
Other Classes |
Synonyms |
Monopotassium sulfite; Potassium acid sulfite; Potassium bisulfite; Potassium hydrogen sulfite; Potassium sulfite (KHSO3); Potassium sulfite, hydrogen; Sulfurous acid, monopotassium salt; [ChemIDplus] UN2693 |
Category |
Sulfites |
Description |
White, crystalline powder; [HSDB] |
Sources/Uses |
Used to preserve food, to reduce organic compounds, to bleach straw and textiles, to add sulfurous acid in brewing, to tan leather, and to disinfect; [Hawley] |
Comments |
A case of occupational asthma, confirmed by specific inhalation challenge, was reported in a worker whose job was to sprinkle dry metabisulfite on potatoes. [Malo JL, Cartier A, Desjardins A. Occupational asthma caused by dry metabisulphite. Thorax 1995 May;50(5); 585-6.] Similar cases have been reported in the wine, laundry, and lobster fishing industries. [Madsen J, Sherson D, Kjoller H, Hansen I, Rasmussen K. Occupational asthma caused by sodium disulphite in Norwegian lobster fishing. Occup Environ Med 2004;61:873-874] See "SULFITES." |
Reference Link |
Occupational asthma caused by dry metabisulphite |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Not evaluated |
Adverse Effects |
Asthma |
Yes |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: POTASSIUM BISULFITE
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