Product Name: Benzalkonium Chloride
Chemical Formula: C17H30ClN (varies by alkyl chain length)
Synonyms: BZK, BKC, ADBAC, Quaternary ammonium compounds, Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride
CAS Number: 8001-54-5 or 63449-41-2
Recommended Uses: Surface disinfectant, hard surface sanitizer, antiseptic, preservative, algaecide in water treatment, active ingredient in cleaning products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and industrial applications
Manufacturer: This information changes by supplier; check label for specifics
Emergency Phone Number: Refer to manufacturer’s safety data
Classification: Acute Toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Skin Corrosion/Irritation, Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation, Hazardous to the Aquatic Environment
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed or inhaled, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, may cause respiratory irritation, very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Pictograms: Corrosive, Exclamation mark, Environment
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective gloves, clothing, and eye/face protection, avoid breathing dust, mist, spray, wash exposed skin thoroughly after handling, avoid release to the environment
Routes of Exposure: Skin contact, eye contact, ingestion, inhalation
Chemical Name: Benzalkonium Chloride
Concentration: 50–80% (as solution), commonly 0.1–0.2% (in end-use products)
Impurities and Stabilizers: Water, alcohols (in formulations), trace organic contaminants
Hazard Components: Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride salts — mixture of C12, C14, C16 alkyl chains
Non-Hazardous Ingredients: Not significant in concentrated forms
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately, keep at rest, monitor for respiratory distress, seek medical advice if symptoms like coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath occur
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, flush skin with running water for 15–20 minutes, seek medical attention for burns, irritation, or persistent redness
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, seek prompt medical attention, do not rub eyes
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water, seek medical attention immediately, give water or milk only if person is conscious and alert
Most important symptoms/effects: Severe eye, skin, and mucous membrane burns, respiratory discomfort, gastrointestinal distress including nausea and vomiting, central nervous system effects
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: High pressure water jets can spread product
Fire Hazards: Not highly flammable but emits toxic vapors including nitrogen oxides, chlorine, corrosive fumes, combustible vapors when heated
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Procedures: Cool exposed containers with water spray to reduce pressure buildup, contain runoff to prevent environmental contamination
Explosion Data: Product does not form explosive mixtures, but decomposition gases may pose health risks
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area of unprotected personnel, use personal protective equipment including gloves, chemical-resistant clothing, goggles, positive-pressure respirator for high concentrations
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into waterways, drains, sewers, soil, and groundwater due to high aquatic toxicity
Methods for Containment: Contain spillage, absorb with sand, earth, or inert material
Cleanup Methods: Collect with non-sparking tools, place in labeled, tightly sealed containers for proper disposal, ventilate affected area
Decontamination: Wash area with large amounts of water, avoid combined use of acidic or oxidizing materials which may cause toxic fume generation
Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas, avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing, do not breathe vapors or spray, practice good industrial hygiene by washing thoroughly after handling
Prevention of static buildup: Ground containers to prevent static discharge, avoid sources of ignition
Storage Requirements: Store in tightly closed, corrosion-resistant containers, keep away from strong acids, bases, oxidizing agents, and incompatible materials
Temperature Conditions: Store at ambient temperature, protect from extreme heat or freezing
Special Instructions: Avoid storage near food, feedstuff, or drinking water, post warning signs in storage areas
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific OSHA, ACGIH, or NIOSH exposure limits, but minimize exposure
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, fume hoods, process enclosures to reduce airborne concentrations
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, rubber), safety goggles or face shield, impermeable apron, long sleeves, boots
Respiratory Protection: Use a NIOSH-approved respirator for high concentrations and insufficient ventilation
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, forearms, and face thoroughly before eating, drinking, or smoking, launder contaminated clothing before reuse
Environmental Exposure: Use containment and waste management systems to prevent release into the environment
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid or powder (depends on concentration and formulation)
Odor: Mild aromatic or ammoniacal odor
pH: 6.0–8.5 (10% solution)
Melting Point/Freezing Point: Freezes below 0°C as aqueous solution
Boiling Point/Range: Above 100°C (as solution)
Solubility: Soluble in water and alcohols
Vapor Pressure: Very low
Density: 0.98–1.05 g/cm3 (solution)
Viscosity: Slightly viscous (solution)
Flash Point: Over 100°C (aqueous solutions)
Decomposition Temperature: Above 150°C
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal usage and storage conditions
Decomposition: Thermal decomposition generates toxic vapors including nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide
Reactivity: Reacts with strong oxidizing agents (e.g., bleach, peroxides) and strong alkalis, forms toxic byproducts
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, strong bases, oxidizers, nitrates
Hazardous Polymerization: Not reported under recommended storage conditions
Conditions to Avoid: High temperatures, mixing with incompatible chemicals
Routes of Exposure: Skin contact, eye contact, ingestion, inhalation
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 240–400 mg/kg
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes severe irritation and tissue damage on prolonged contact
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes severe and irreversible eye injury
Respiratory Effects: Breathing mist or vapors can cause respiratory irritation
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposure may lead to dermatitis, sensitization
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Other Health Effects: Possible gastrointestinal symptoms after ingestion, central nervous system effects at high doses
Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates, fish, and algae
Persistence and Degradability: Moderately persistent, biodegradation occurs in water and soil, but product builds up in aquatic environments
Bioaccumulative Potential: Limited data, not expected to bioaccumulate significantly
Mobility in Soil: Remains in top layers of soil, can leach into waterways via runoff
Other Adverse Effects: Harms aquatic ecosystems in low concentrations, disrupts water treatment biota, persists in effluents if not properly treated
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of product as hazardous waste according to local, regional, and national regulations
Container Disposal: Triple rinse, puncture, and send to approved waste facility, never reuse containers for other purposes
Special Instructions: Incinerate waste in permitted facility, prevent release into drains, watercourses, or soil
Regulatory Requirements: Comply with RCRA, CERCLA, and local hazardous waste guidelines, keep waste records
UN Number: UN1903
UN Proper Shipping Name: Disinfectants, liquid, corrosive, n.o.s. (Benzalkonium Chloride)
Transport Hazard Class: 8 – Corrosive substances
Packing Group: III
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Special Transport Precautions: Seal containers securely, label as hazardous, prevent breakage during handling, follow emergency response guide
Regulatory Agencies: DOT, IMO/IMDG, IATA—check current listings for full shipping requirements
OSHA: Hazardous chemical, covered by Hazard Communication Standard
TSCA: Listed on U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
EPA: Registered as active ingredient in antimicrobial products (FIFRA)
SARA Title III: Section 311/312 — Acute health hazard; Section 313 — Not listed
RCRA: Regulated hazardous waste if disposed in bulk
Other Regulations: Subject to workplace safety, environmental, and transportation regulations worldwide, consult local requirements for specific compliance
Label Requirements: Signal word “Danger,” hazard and precautionary statements, manufacturer identification, batch number, emergency phone, regulatory references
