Benzalkonium chloride - Amanda Amyotte

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Benzalkonium chloride is a chemical that is comprised of 24 compounds that are structurally similar quaternary ammonium compounds, also known as quats, that are characterized by having positively charged nitrogen covalently bonded to 3 alkyl group substituents and a benzyl substituent. In it’s finished form, these quats are salts with a negatively charged nitrogen balanced by a negatively charged molecule. The most common anion used is chloride but bromide can also be used. This chemical is also known as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride or ADBAC.

This chemical is used in many different skin products, disinfectants and in antiseptics.  It is used in antiseptics as it has the advantage of not burning while it cleans out wounds. This chemical is also used as an alternative for alcohol in hand sanitizer as it is more gentle on the skin and does not dry the skin out. It can help with cold sore and fever blisters and can be used to treat tropical skin fungus or athletes foot.

This chemical is not toxic to humans in solutions of less then 10%, but it is highly toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. This is because it can break down the cell walls very easily as it is a cationic surfactant. The chemical is not corrosive, non-staining and safe to use on all washable surfaces, and therefore the preferred disinfectant in hospitals.

Benzalkonium chloride can also be found in detergents, foam-agents and pesticides. If lysol wipes are you choice in cleaning products you most likely use this product daily. Because of the advantages stated above this chemical is greatly used in many cleaning products and is very helpful in our day to day lives.