Solubility and physical properties Depending on purity, benzalkonium chloride ranges from colourless to a pale yellow (impure). Benzalkonium chloride is readily soluble in ethanol and acetone. Dissolution in water is ready, upon agitation. Aqueous solutions should be neutral to slightly alkaline.

Why is benzalkonium chloride bad for you?

Clinically, benzalkonium chloride may cause eye irritation and is known to discolour soft contact lenses. Benzalkonium chloride in eye drops has also been reported to cause punctate keratopathy and/or toxic ulcerative keratopathy, especially in frequent or prolonged use or in conditions where the cornea is compromised.

Can benzalkonium chloride be used on skin?

This cosmetic ingredient is not a sensitizer to normal humans at concentrations of 0.1%, but may be to individuals with diseased skin. It is concluded that Benzalkonium Chloride can be safely used as an antimicrobial agent at concentrations up to 0.1%.

What can benzalkonium chloride be used for?

BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE (ben zal KOE nee um klor ide) is an antiseptic. It is used prior to surgical procedures or for minor wound care to reduce risks of infection. It may be used for cold sore care.

Is benzalkonium chloride an ammonia?

Benzalkonium chlorides (BACs), also known as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides, alkyl dimethyl (phenylmethyl) quaternary ammonium chlorides, ammonium alkyl dimethyl (phenylmethyl) chlorides, or ammonium alkyl dimethyl benzyl chlorides, are a class of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) (Fig. 1A).

What chemical is in Dettol?

Chloroxylenol Chloroxylenol is the active ingredient in Dettol. It comprises 4.8% of Dettol’s total admixture, with the rest made up by pine oil, isopropanol, castor oil, soap and water.

Is benzalkonium chloride safe to breathe?

Background: Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) toxic to microorganisms. Inhalation is one of the major possible routes of human exposure to BAC.

Is benzalkonium chloride safe in soap?

There are three main ingredients currently being used in antibacterial soap: benzalkonium chloride, benzelthonium chloride and chloroxylenol. … The agency is, however, asking manufacturers to demonstrate that these ingredients are safe and effective, and it will consider banning them in the future.

What is benzalkonium chloride and is it safe?

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC or BKC) is a non-toxic substance used to control pests. Recently, BAC has been increasingly used as a component in humidifier disinfectants in Korea, raising a serious health concern. Moreover, it poses significant health hazards to workers handling the chemical because of direct exposure.

Can I use Benzalkonium Chloride on my face?

The safety of Benzalkonium Chloride has been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated scientific data and concluded that Benzalkonium Chloride, at concentrations up to 0.1% free, active ingredient, was safe as a cosmetic ingredient.

Does Benzalkonium Chloride expire?

The chemical Benzalkonium Chloride is very stable and has a very long shelf life. Different sources of information differ on how long it can remain stable, but most agree that it is stable for at least three years.

Can you mix Benzalkonium Chloride and hydrogen peroxide?

Avoid mixing Benzalkonium Chloride (BKC) with citrates, iodides, nitrates, permanganates, salicylates, silver salts and tartrates. Incompatibilities have also been reported with other substances including aluminium, fluorescin sodium, hydrogen peroxide, kaolin and some sulfonamides.

Is benzalkonium chloride a bleach?

There are many non-bleach based products on the market, one good alternative is using Quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats), benzalkonium chloride being just one such example. … It bleaches wood so splashes cannot be removed.

What is benzalkonium chloride side effects?

Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Is benzalkonium chloride biodegradable?

2010; Khan et al. 2017). BAC has an estimated half-life of 38 days in water (EPA 2018). Despite its toxicity, biodegradation is one of the main processes of environmental removal, and several bacteria capable of carrying out BAC degradation have been reported (Nishihara et al.

Is Iodine a sanitizer?

Chlorine based sanitizers are the most commonly used sanitizers. They are effective against all bacteria and are fairly inexpensive. … Iodine compounds or iodophors are fast-acting and effective against all bacteria. They are relatively nontoxic, non-irritating to skin, and stable.

Where is benzalkonium chloride found?

What is Benzalkonium Chloride? This ingredient is commonly used as a surfactant and antibacterial agent, and is commonly found in household cleaning products.

Is Dettol acidic or alkaline?

Dettol’s pH is higher than 7 so it’s a base (sometimes referred to as alkaline). Products with basic pH values (Dettol) are useful for removing fatty and oily soils from surfaces.

Can Chloroxylenol be used as hand sanitizer?

Chloroxylenol is an antimicrobial used to treat cuts, bites, stings, abrasions, and used as an antiseptic hand cleaner. … It is found in antibacterial soaps, wound-cleansing applications, and household antiseptics.

Which country made Dettol?

U.K. Dettol

Product type Antiseptic
Country U.K.
Introduced 1932
Related brands Lysol, another product made by the same company Sagrotan Dettox
Markets Worldwide (except the United States)

Is benzalkonium toxic?

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) exerts toxic effects on microorganisms. This property has been utilized in the cosmetic industry and medicine, where it is used as effective germicide and preservative agents. Various BAC-containing preparations used by people may induce a number of adverse effects on the human body.

Can benzalkonium chloride trigger asthma?

Benzalkonium chloride has been used as a preservative in some antiasthma respirator solutions and is known to cause bronchoconstriction in asthmatic subjects.

What is the difference between benzethonium chloride and benzalkonium chloride?

The key difference between benzethonium chloride and benzalkonium chloride is that benzethonium chloride is produced as a white solid, whereas benzalkonium chloride in its pure form is colorless and appears in a pale yellow color under the presence of impurities.

Is Dettol banned in US?

The banned chemicals are in about 40 per cent of soaps and liquid washes sold in US and are in some domestic products sold in Australian supermarkets and chemists. Palmolive Antibacterial Liquid Handwash and Dettol bar soap, for example, contain triclocarban, one of the most commonly used antibacterials.

Why is Dial soap bad?

The maker of Dial Complete hand soap says that it kills more germs than any other brand. … Several studies have shown that triclosan may alter hormone regulation in laboratory animals or cause antibiotic resistance, and some consumer groups and members of Congress want it banned in antiseptic products like hand soap.