Drinking Water Mgmt. Ammonium perchlorate is a man-made inorganic salt that is a strong oxidizer which is used as a component of solid rocket fuel, munitions and in the pyrotechnics fireworks industry. Ammonium perchlorate in fireworks produces the blue colors. Perchlorate continues to be manufactured and used nationwide.
Ammonium perchlorate is very soluble and is mobile in groundwater and surface water.
The chemical degrades very slowly in the environment. Risk studies will determine whether or if there may be an impact to the environment or human health. Until the scientific studies are completed at the national level, we do not know the effects of low concentrations of perchlorate. Currently it is known that the Las Vegas Wash is transporting perchlorate contamination into Lake Mead which then feeds into the Colorado River. Potassium perchlorate disrupts the thyroids gland's ability to properly utilize iodine to produce thyroid hormones.