Is benzalkonium chloride toxic to plants?
BACs have the potential to reach the rooting zone of crop plants and BACs might thereby enter the food chain. After 12 d exposure to 0.25 mg L-1 BACs, plant dry weight was reduced by 68% for lettuce and 75% for garden cress, and symptoms of toxicity (necrosis, chlorosis, wilting, etc.)
Is benzalkonium chloride harmful to the environment?
The effective concentrations (EC, Table 1) and the no effect concentration (NOEC, Table 1) calculated from the concentration response curve are in the range ≤ 0.1 mg/L which according to classification of substances hazardous to aquatic environment (UN, 2011) classifies BAC as very toxic to aquatic environment.
Why is benzalkonium chloride harmful?
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.
Is BKC toxic?
The available toxicity data of benzalkonium chloride (BKC) clearly shows that it is toxic; however, the weight of evidence favors the view that at doses encountered in nasally and orally inhaled pharmaceutical preparations it is well tolerated.
Is benzalkonium chloride biodegradable?
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. 2000;Patrauchan and Oriel 2003;Loveira et al. 2012; Khan et al.
Is benzalkonium chloride safe to use?
Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a widely used disinfectant/preservative, and respiratory exposure to this compound has been reported to be highly toxic. Spray‐form household products have been known to contain BAC together with triethylene glycol (TEG) in their solutions.
How much benzalkonium chloride is toxic?
Concentrated solutions are toxic to humans, causing corrosion/irritation to the skin and mucosa, and death if taken internally in sufficient volumes. 0.1% is the maximum concentration of benzalkonium chloride that does not produce primary irritation on intact skin or act as a sensitizer.
Is benzalkonium chloride 0.13% safe for humans?
Benzalkonium chloride formulations for consumer use are dilute solutions. Concentrated solutions are toxic to humans, causing corrosion/irritation to the skin and mucosa, and death if taken internally in sufficient volumes.
Is benzalkonium chloride poisonous to humans?
Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a widely used disinfectant/preservative, and respiratory exposure to this compound has been reported to be highly toxic.
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.
What is the efficacy of benzalkonium chloride?
These results show that benzalkonium chloride based products are highly stable as disinfectants and have high efficacy against E. hirae and S. aureus, preserving bactericidal properties 24 h after their use on stainless steel surfaces.
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.
How dangerous is benzethonium chloride?
Benzalkonium chloride is considered acutely toxic. Exposure to the toxic chemical may produce side effects such as rashes, allergic reactions, itching, redness, swelling, blisters, skin peeling, fever, wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, trouble breathing or talking, unusual hoarseness, mouth/face/lips/tongue/throat swelling.
Does benzalkonium chloride cause allergy?
Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) is a widely used quaternary ammonium cationic detergent. It has occasionally been reported as a cause of allergic dermatitis. The agent is the most commonly used preservative in ophthalmic medications, solutions for contact lenses, and “artificial tears.” A physician developed a severe allergic conjunctivitis from an ophthalmic solution containing BAK.
Is Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride safe?
Benzalkonium Chloride. 50% SOLUTION OF Benzalkonium Chloride (BKC) (ALKYL DIMETHYL BENZYL AMMONIUM CHLORIDE) Benzalkonium Chloride (BKC) is a safe, rapid acting Bactericide, Algaecide and Fungicide. Widely used as a combination sanitizer-disinfectant for the Hospital, Livestock and Personal Hygiene sectors / Sugar and water treatment etc.
What is the common name of benzalkonium chloride?
Benzalkonium chloride, also known as BZK, BKC, BAC, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride and ADBAC , is a type of cationic surfactant. It is an organic salt classified as a quaternary ammonium compound.