Product Name: (C12-C18) Alkyldimethylbenzylammonium Chloride
Synonyms: Benzalkonium chloride, BZK, ADBAC
CAS Number: 68391-01-5, 85409-23-0
Intended Use: Used widely as a disinfectant and antiseptic in cleaning products, water treatments, sanitizers, agricultural and industrial applications
Manufacturer: Information typically found on label or packaging
Contact Information: Emergency and technical support lines available from supplier
Classification: Classified as hazardous according to global harmonized standards
Major Hazards: Corrosive to skin and eyes, causes respiratory tract irritation if inhaled, can be harmful or fatal if swallowed
Signal Word: Danger
Pictograms: Corrosion, exclamation mark
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and serious eye damage. Harmful if swallowed. Toxic to aquatic environments.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid all contact with skin and eyes, do not breathe vapors or mist, keep away from food and drink.
Chemical Name: (C12-C18) Alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride
Concentration: 80%-100% active ingredient in technical grade solutions;
Impurities: Lower alkyl homologs, organic solvents may be present in formulation
Additives: Surfactants and stabilizers are common depending on the supplier
Formula: C₁₂–C₁₈ alkyl chain with quaternary ammonium benzyl group and a chloride counter-ion
CAS Numbers: 68391-01-5 (C12-C16), 85409-23-0 (C14-C18)
Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present. Seek immediate medical attention.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Get medical help if irritation or burns occur.
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep warm and at rest. Provide oxygen if breathing is difficult. Seek medical advice.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water. Seek immediate medical attention. Do not give anything by mouth if unconscious.
Important Notes: Symptomatic and supportive treatment is most effective. Emergency responders should wear protective gear.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical
Hazards from Combustion: Combustion may produce toxic fumes of hydrogen chloride, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and chemical protective clothing
Advice for Firefighters: Move containers from fire area if possible. Cool exposed containers with water spray to prevent bursting.
Explosion Data: Product is not known to be explosive, but thermal decomposition can lead to pressure build-up
Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, eye protection, face shield, and protective clothing. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers, surface water, or groundwater by diking or bunding. Notify authorities if contamination occurs.
Methods for Clean Up: Absorb with inert material such as sand or earth, shovel into containers for disposal. Wash spill area with water, avoiding runoff.
Decontamination: Use dilute bleach or sodium bicarbonate for neutralizing residues.
Disposal: Store collected material in sealed containers to prevent further risk
Handling: Always handle with chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing. Do not eat, drink, or smoke in work area. Ensure good ventilation.
Storage: Keep container tightly closed in a dry, well-ventilated area away from heat or open flame. Store at room temperature, protect from direct sunlight and moisture.
Compatibility: Avoid contact with strong oxidizers, strong acids, and anionic compounds. Store away from food and feed.
Recommended Materials for Packaging: Use HDPE, polypropylene, or glass containers, avoid metal containers as product may be corrosive to metals.
Special Precautions: Keep out of reach of children and untrained personnel
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific OSHA, ACGIH, or NIOSH exposure limits established. Use good industrial hygiene practices.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or process enclosure to minimize exposure.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, face shield, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), protective apron or coveralls
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH or EN approved respirator if inhalation risk exists or ventilation is inadequate
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse
Appearance: Clear to pale yellow liquid solution
Odor: Mild aromatic, distinctive ammonium-like
Odor Threshold: Not established
pH: 6.0 – 8.0 (10% solution)
Melting Point/Freezing Point: Below zero degrees Celsius depending on concentration
Boiling Point: Greater than 100°C (aqueous solutions)
Flash Point: Not flammable
Evaporation Rate: Not available
Flammability: Not classified as flammable
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature
Vapor Density: Heavier than air
Solubility in Water: Readily soluble
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not determined
Decomposition Temperature: Above 180°C
Viscosity: Low to moderate depending on concentration
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions of use and storage
Conditions to Avoid: High temperatures, freezing, excessive moisture, and direct sunlight can degrade the material
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers (such as bleach), anionic detergents, acids, reducing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, ammonia, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide form under fire or decomposition
Polymerization: Product does not undergo hazardous polymerization
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 240-400 mg/kg; dermal LD50 (rabbit): >2000 mg/kg
Routes of Exposure: Skin contact, eye contact, inhalation, ingestion
Potential Health Effects: Severe irritation and burns to skin and eyes, respiratory irritation, nausea, vomiting if swallowed
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes burns
Eye Damage/Irritation: Permanent eye injury possible
Sensitization: Rare cases of allergic reaction
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated contact causes dermatitis
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as a human carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Mutagenicity: No significant data suggest mutagenic risk
Reproductive Toxicity: No evidence found for reproductive harm
Ecotoxicity: Extremely toxic to aquatic life, especially fish and invertebrates (LC50 for fish 0.28 mg/L/96h)
Persistence and Degradability: Quaternary ammonium compounds persist in the environment but show some biodegradability under appropriate conditions
Bioaccumulation: Low accumulation in aquatic organisms, but high acute toxicity drives regulatory concern
Mobility in Soil: Moderately binds to soil and sediments, runoff may impact downstream water bodies
Other Adverse Effects: Contributes to water pollution if not handled properly. Decontamination at industrial scale needed to avoid persistent release
Waste Disposal Methods: Must be disposed of as hazardous waste according to local and national regulations. Do not pour into drains, water supplies, or waterways.
Container Disposal: Rinse and triple-wash empty containers, puncture or crush before disposal. Do not reuse containers.
Recommended Treatment: Incinerate at high temperature in approved facility. Landfilling requires stabilization to prevent leaching.
Special Precautions: Avoid aerosol formation during disposal. Always coordinate with waste disposal authority or licensed operator.
Regulatory Codes: Waste classified under hazardous waste regulations in US (RCRA), EU (EWC 07 06 08), and most other countries
UN Number: UN 1903
Shipping Name: Disinfectant, liquid, corrosive, n.o.s. (contains (C12-C18) Alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride)
Transport Hazard Class: Class 8, Corrosive substances
Packing Group: III
Labels Required: Corrosive (Class 8)
Marine Pollutant: Yes, mark packages appropriately
Special Transport Notes: Avoid shipment with acids, oxidizers, incompatible materials.
Regulations: ADR/RID (Europe), IMDG (Marine), IATA (Air)
TSCA (US): Listed on Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
EINECS (EU): Registered (numbers available through supplier)
REACH (EU): Subject to restrictions and authorization; requires registration
SARA Title III: Not listed as an extremely hazardous substance; may be reportable in large spill events
OSHA: Meets criteria for hazardous chemical
WHMIS (Canada): D2B, E - Corrosive/Poisonous material
California Prop 65: Not listed as a cancer or reproductive toxin
Other National Inventories: Australia (AICS), Canada (DSL), Japan (ENCS), Korea (KECL), Philippines (PICCS), New Zealand (NZIoC), China (IECSC)
