Benzalkonium chloride. Health hazard evaluation report
Abstract
Health hazards associated with the use of benzalkonium chlorides (BAC) are reviewed. Benzalkonium chloride is extensively used as a cationic disinfectant. It is found in a great many over-the-counter and prescription eye products, disinfectants, shampoos, and deodorants, and is used in concentrations that range from 0.001 to 0.01% in eyedrops, up to 2.5% in concentrated liquid disinfectants. Solutions of 0.03 to 0.04% BAC may cause temporary eye irritation in humans but are unlikely to cause any skin response except in persons allergic to quaternary ammonium compounds. Inhalation of a vaporized 10% solution of BAC produced a bronchospasmodic reaction in a previously sensitized individual. At present no other human health effects from BAC have been documented or inferred from exposure to such dilute concentrations.
- Authors:
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 5210900
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-34209
ON: DE84008058
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- Resource Type:
- Technical Report
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.; DETERGENTS; BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS; HEALTH HAZARDS; QUATERNARY COMPOUNDS; DISINFECTANTS; FUNGICIDES; PERSONNEL; WORKING CONDITIONS; ADDITIVES; AMINES; AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS; EMULSIFIERS; GERMICIDES; HAZARDS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; PESTICIDES; SURFACTANTS; WETTING AGENTS; 560306* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987); 560305 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)
Citation Formats
Bernholc, N M. Benzalkonium chloride. Health hazard evaluation report. United States: N. p., 1984.
Web.
Bernholc, N M. Benzalkonium chloride. Health hazard evaluation report. United States.
Bernholc, N M. 1984.
"Benzalkonium chloride. Health hazard evaluation report". United States.
@article{osti_5210900,
title = {Benzalkonium chloride. Health hazard evaluation report},
author = {Bernholc, N M},
abstractNote = {Health hazards associated with the use of benzalkonium chlorides (BAC) are reviewed. Benzalkonium chloride is extensively used as a cationic disinfectant. It is found in a great many over-the-counter and prescription eye products, disinfectants, shampoos, and deodorants, and is used in concentrations that range from 0.001 to 0.01% in eyedrops, up to 2.5% in concentrated liquid disinfectants. Solutions of 0.03 to 0.04% BAC may cause temporary eye irritation in humans but are unlikely to cause any skin response except in persons allergic to quaternary ammonium compounds. Inhalation of a vaporized 10% solution of BAC produced a bronchospasmodic reaction in a previously sensitized individual. At present no other human health effects from BAC have been documented or inferred from exposure to such dilute concentrations.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5210900},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984},
month = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1984}
}