Product Name: Octyldecyldimethylammonium Chloride
Synonyms: Quaternary ammonium compound, C8-10-alkyldimethyl, chloride
CAS Number: 32472-85-8
Recommended Use: Disinfectant, antiseptic, surfactant in cleaning products, water treatment formulations
Supplier: Manufacturer’s contact details should be included on packaging
Emergency Contact: Refer to local poison control or emergency number listed on label
Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral) Category 4, Eye Damage Category 1, Skin Corrosion/Irritation Category 1B, Hazardous to the Aquatic Environment, Acute Category 1
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Very toxic to aquatic life.
Pictograms: Corrosive (GHS05), Exclamation Mark (GHS07), Environment (GHS09)
Precautionary Statements: Do not breathe mist or vapor. Wear protective gloves, clothing, and eye protection. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Avoid release to the environment. IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air. IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water.
Potential Health Effects: Causes burns to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Harmful effects may occur after ingestion, contact, or inhalation of dusts or mists. Can lead to respiratory irritation and digestive discomfort.
Chemical Name: Octyldecyldimethylammonium Chloride
CAS Number: 32472-85-8
Concentration: 50-100% (varies by product formulation)
Impurities: May contain trace amounts of water, other quaternary ammonium compounds (less than 2%), low-level process residues.
Other Ingredients: None, unless formulated as a blend (refer to specific product label).
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air immediately. Seek medical attention if respiratory symptoms develop or persist.
Skin Contact: Take off contaminated clothing at once. Rinse skin liberally with running water for at least 15 minutes. Seek urgent medical care for burns or persistent irritation.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for many minutes, lifting eyelids to be thorough. Continue until professional medical help is available, as eye damage is likely.
Ingestion: Never offer anything by mouth to unconscious persons. If swallowed, rinse mouth out gently and sip water if alert. Do not induce vomiting. Get immediate medical help.
Most Important Symptoms: Severe skin and eye pain, chemical burns, breathing difficulties, nausea.
Notes for Doctor: Treat symptomatically. Observe for delayed pulmonary edema, supportive care for burns.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Flood with water from safest distance if fire grows large.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Avoid direct water jets; may spread product.
Fire Hazards: Not flammable, but combustion can give off toxic fumes containing hydrogen chloride, nitrogen oxides, and carbon oxides.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters must wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear.
Firefighting Precautions: Approach fire from upwind, isolate hazard area. Prevent run-off from entering drains or watercourses.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Irritant and corrosive gases, including chlorine and toxic nitrogenous compounds.
Personal Precautions: Avoid contact with spilled material by wearing suitable chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof goggles, long-sleeved clothing, and, in case of dust or mist, a respirator.
Environmental Precautions: Stop spill or leak if safe to do so. Prevent entry into surface or ground water and drains by damming or covering with absorbent.
Methods for Clean-Up: Scoop or mop up with inert absorbent such as sand or vermiculite. Place contaminated material in secure, labeled containers for safe disposal.
Notification: Report large releases to local authorities, per local and national regulations.
Disposal of Collected Material: Handle as hazardous waste according to regulatory guidelines.
Handling: Only trained staff should use this chemical with proper protective measures. Avoid generating dust or mists; use with good ventilation. Wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking. Clean equipment and protective wear after use.
Storage: Keep in original, closed container, away from incompatible substances like strong oxidizers, acids, and alkalis. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Prevent freezing or overheating. Keep away from food and animal feed.
Other Precautions: Keep away from children and unauthorized persons. Do not reuse empty containers—rinse and dispose properly.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific exposure limit set for this compound. Treat as if exposure should be minimized as much as possible.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation for any process likely to generate mist, vapor, or dust. Maintain eyewash stations and emergency showers in work areas.
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear chemical goggles or face shield, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), impervious clothing, and, if exposure limit may be approached, a respiratory mask with organic vapor/acid gas filter. Rubber boots recommended for spill response.
Hygiene Measures: Remove contaminated clothing promptly. Wash thoroughly after handling. Do not eat or drink near work areas.
Appearance: Clear to pale, yellowish liquid
Odor: Faint ammoniacal or soapy
pH (1% solution): 5.5–8.5
Boiling Point: Not established; typically above 100°C
Melting Point/Freezing Point: Below -5°C (depending on concentration)
Flash Point: Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Not established
Flammability: Not flammable
Vapor Pressure: Very low at ambient temperature
Solubility: Soluble in water, alcohol; insoluble in oils
Density: 0.94–1.05 g/cm³
Partition Coefficient: Not established
Viscosity: Slightly viscous
Decomposition Temperature: Decomposes above 200°C with toxic fume release
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Non-reactive in standard applications, but reacts violently with strong oxidizers, acids, and reducing agents
Conditions to Avoid: High temperatures, presence of incompatible materials, exposure to open flames
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, alkalis, oxidizing or reducing agents, anionic surfactants
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and other toxic or caustic vapors
Polymerization: Will not occur
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 400–1000 mg/kg; can be fatal if swallowed in larger amounts
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Symptoms: Burns, redness, blistering, severe eye pain, lung irritation, cough, nausea, vomiting
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure may cause skin sensitization, dermatitis, asthma-like symptoms
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Mutagenicity: No reliable studies linking to genetic mutations
Reproductive Toxicity: Not proven in laboratory animals or humans
Other Information: Aggravates skin and respiratory conditions in susceptible persons
Ecotoxicity: Very toxic to aquatic organisms. LC50 (fish, 96 hr): below 1 mg/l. Potential for damage in case of release to watercourses.
Persistence and Degradability: Moderately biodegradable. Transforms to less toxic forms but can persist for weeks.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low to moderate, depending on environmental conditions and concentration.
Mobility in Soil: Binds to soil and sediment; movement depends on local chemistry but can wash away during high rainfall.
Other Adverse Effects: Not expected to impact atmosphere, but run-off can affect aquatic life and water treatment systems.
Product Disposal: Mix with copious amounts of water and neutralize with weak alkali under expert supervision. Do not let pure or concentrated product enter waterway or soil. Dispose according to local and national regulations for hazardous waste.
Container Disposal: Rinse thoroughly before recycling if allowed. Never reuse empty container for any other purpose. Otherwise, dispose as hazardous material.
Other Recommendations: Seek advice from local environmental agency about special disposal guidelines.
UN Number: 2920
UN Proper Shipping Name: Corrosive Liquid, Flammable, N.O.S. (Octyldecyldimethylammonium Chloride solution)
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive Substance)
Packing Group: II
Environmental Hazards: Classified as Marine Pollutant. Requires “Environmentally Hazardous Substance” mark on packaging.
Special Precautions for User: Keep container upright and secure. Apply proper labels. Follow emergency procedures in case of spill or fire.
EU Classification: CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008: Acute Tox. 4, Skin Corr. 1B, Eye Dam. 1, Aquatic Acute 1
US Regulations: SARA Title III Section 311/312 hazards: Acute Health Hazard; not listed as an Extremely Hazardous Substance. TSCA Inventory: Listed.
Canada: DSL/NDSL: Listed. WHMIS Classification: D2B, E (corrosive, harmful substance).
Labeling Requirements: Container must display hazard identification, precautionary, and disposal information in compliance with GHS and local laws.
Other Regulations: Comply with all workplace, transportation, water treatment, and environmental rules governing storage, use, and disposal.
