Dichlorobenzalkonium chloride
Agent Name
Dichlorobenzalkonium chloride
CAS Number
8023-53-8
Major Category
Other Uses
Synonyms
Alkyl(C8H17 to C18H37) dimethyl 3,4-dichlorobenzyl ammonium chloride; Ammonium, alkyl (C8-C18) dimethyl 3,4-dichlorobenzyl-, chloride; Tetrosan; Alkyl dimethyl 3,4-dichlorobenzyl ammonium chloride; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Biocides/Disinfectants
Description
Colorless solid; [Hawley]
Sources/Uses
Used as algicide, antiseptic, and sterilant; [Hawley] Used as a germicide, algicide, and deodorant; [EPA OHM/TADS] Quaternary ammonium compounds are used as algaecides/slimicides (swimming pools, industrial water reservoirs, and farm ponds), antiseptics for cleaning wounds, antistatic agents for textiles, softeners for paper products, and pigment dispersers; [IPCS-PIMs]
Comments
A skin irritant; [Hawley] A severe eye irritant; Toxic by ingestion and intravenous route; May cause liver and kidney damage; Oral LD50 (rat) = 730 mg/kg; [Sax] Allergic contact dermatitis is infrequently documented; [Marks, p. 266] Quaternary ammonium compounds have curare-like properties when concentrated solutions are ingested; Affected patients may have methemoglobinemia and hemolysis and die within 1-3 hours; Elevated liver function tests were reported; Concentrated solutions can cause burns; No data on carcinogenicity or teratogenicity; [IPCS-PIMs]
Biomedical References
Adverse Effects
Methemoglobinemia
MetHgb is secondary toxic effect
Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: