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 About Perchlorate
Perchlorate (ClO4 -) is the soluble anion associated with the solid salts of ammonium, potassium, and sodium perchlorate. Ammonium perchlorate is used as an energetics booster or oxidant in solid propellant for rockets and missiles. It is, therefore, a national technical asset integral to the Nation's strategic defense system and space exploration. Ammonium perchlorate is also used in certain fireworks, the manufacture of matches, as a component of air bag inflators, and in analytical chemistry to preserve ionic strength. Large-scale production of ammonium perchlorate began in the United States in the mid-1940's. Ammonium perchlorate has a limited shelf life, and must be periodically replaced in munitions and rockets, or in inventory. This has lead to the disposal of large volumes of the compound since the 1940's in Nevada, California, Utah, and likely other states. In addition, the Military Departments have jointly identified a need for an environmentally responsible method to dispose of rocket propellant that complies with arms control treaties (Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, START I and START II) and requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Disposal and demilitarization of solid rocket motors from large propulsion systems is a major task facing DoD.Potassium perchlorate until recently was used to treat hyperthyroidism resulting from Grave's disease, and is still used diagnostically to test thyroid hormone production in some clinical settings. In addition, potassium perchlorate is used in protective breathing equipment on Air National Guard (ANG) aircraft for use in the event of depressurization, and in naval emergency escape breathing devices. Other uses of perchlorate salts include in nuclear reactors and electronic tubes, as additives in lubricating oils, in tanning and finishing leather, as a fixer for fabrics and dyes, and in electoplating, aluminum refining, rubber manufacture, and production of paints and enamels. Areas of natural occurrence of perchlorate are rare; however, one natural source of solid perchlorate is found in potassium nitrate from Chile (Chile saltpeter), which may be used in chemical fertilizers originating from Chile. Additional areas of natural occurrence of perchlorate have not been identified, but are speculated to exist, based on the confirmed existence of several genera of perchlorate-reducing organisms. |
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