POTASSIUM CHLORIDE CAS N°: 7447-40-7

OECD SIDS POTASSIUM CHLORIDE
Comparison was made between the observed risk of dying among the study cohort, with that
expected according to age, sex, race, calendar time, and cause specific mortality rates for the
general population of the United States.
The field studies conducted failed to disclose any evidence of predisposition of underground miners
to any of the diseases evaluated, including lung cancer. Secondly, the study concluded there is no
reason to believe that the underground environment increases respiratory diseases when
pneumoconiosis producing dust or radon decay products are absent or present in only minute
amounts. Exposure to dust, i.e. sodium and potassium salts, commonly encountered in the potash
industry did not influence mortality due to heart disease or cerebrovascular accidents. A deficit of
death from cancers other than respiratory among the surface workers could not be explained.
Gastric irritation: [41-45]
Gastro-intestinal irritant effects caused by KCl administrated orally has been reported at doses from
about 31 mg/kg body weight/day. Oral preparations may cause nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress,
abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea. High, local concentrations in the gastrointestinal tract can lead
to ulceration. Esophageal ulceration may occur of there is dysphagia and gastric ulceration,
especially if gastric emptying is delayed. Enteric coating lessens the incident of such side effects,
but favours the development of small bowel lesions. In a wax matrix it has been promoted as a safe
form, but esophageal, gastric and small bowel ulcerations nevertheless occur occasionally. If such
forms are used, they should be taken with water.
Therapeutic uses of KCl: [25]
Diarrhoea, emsis, diuresis, starvation, prolonged saline infusion, or dietary deficiency may lead to
K deficiency, which is characterized by muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmia, paralysis, bone
fragility, sterility, adrenal hypertrophy, decreased growth rate, loss of weight and death.
Potassium chloride is of value for the relief of symptoms of hypokaliemic periodic paralysis, and the
symptoms of Meniere’s disease. Daily intake of potassium decreases the risk of stroke-associated
mortality.
The salt (KCl) is most frequently used when the action of potassium cation is desired. Usual
therapeutic doses of potassium for oral solution-adults are 1.5-3 g/day to prevent depletion, and 3-
7.5 g/day for replacement. Doses given by intravenous infusion (adults) are not to exceed a total
dose of 200-400 mEq/day, depending on plasma potassium levels.
3.2 INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN HEALTH
Potassium and chloride are essential constituents and two of the most abundant ions in all humans,
as in all animal species. Uptake, transport, distribution, excretion, and the homeostatic regulation of
KCl is well established, as are the mechanisms of action. KCl is essential for intracellular osmotic
pressure and buffering, cell permeability, acid-base balance, muscle contraction and nerve function.
Acute oral toxicity of KCl in mammals is low. In humans, acute oral toxicity is rare because large
single doses induce nausea and vomiting, and because KCl is rapidly excreted in the absence of any
pre-existing kidney damage. Hyperkalemia will occur only in conjunction with other factors that
alter potassium homeostasis, such as renal inefficiency, ingestion of excess K + and the use of drugs
that promote potassium retention. KCl overdoses manifests in gastrointestinal and neuromuscular
symptoms, cardiac arrythmia and heart block. In light of the given vapour pressure and partition
coefficient it can be assumed that exposure towards KCl is exclusively given by oral intake.
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