A salt of perchloric acid.

a chemical used in the production of rocket, rocket fuel and fireworks

A chemical used in manufacturing rocket fuel that has contaminated some California groundwater basins. Perchlorate interferes with iodide uptake into the thyroid gland. The disruption of thyroid functions leads to changes in metabolism in adults and normal growth and development in children.

Waste perchlorates are regulated as hazardous waste because they exhibit the characteristic of an oxidizer. (MN Rule. 7045.0131, sub.3). Ammonium perchlorate if in solution and stored in an aboveground storage tank would be regulated and if stored in an underground storage tank would be regulated as a hazardous substance. However, currently there are no risk-based soil, ground water, or surface water criteria developed at least at the state level. Some states, however (i.e. California has nonpromulgated Advisory Level [AL] of 4 ug/L for perchlorate), and USEPA has received peer review comments on their draft toxicological review and assessment document (provided in 1/02 for public comment) available on their NCEA web site.