Chlorhexidine
Last updated: 30/08/2023
(Also known as: chlorohexidine)
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.
Environmental fate
Ecotoxicity
Human health
Used mainly as a used topical disinfectant cleanser for skin wounds and as an antibactericide for ear and gum infections killing both gram-positive and gram-negative microbes.
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1953, UK
Cattle, Cats, Dogs
Isomeric
C₂₂H₃₀Cl₂N₁₀
C1=CC(=CC=C1NC(=NC(=NCCCCCCN=C(N)N=C(N)NC2=CC=C(C=C2)Cl)N)N)Cl
C1=CC(=CC=C1N/C(=N/C(=NCCCCCCN=C(/N=C(/NC2=CC=C(C=C2)Cl)\N)N)N)/N)Cl
GHXZTYHSJHQHIJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI=1S/C22H30Cl2N10/c23-15-5-9-17(10-6-15)31-21(27)33-19(25)29-13-3-1-2-4-14-30-20(26)34-22(28)32-18-11-7-16(24)8-12-18/h5-12H,1-4,13-14H2,(H5,25,27,29,31,33)(H5,26,28,30,32,34)
Yes
Antiseptic, Bactericide, Antimicrobial
Unclassified substance
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Synthetic
Disrupts the integrity of the cell membrane and causes the leakage of intracellular components of the organisms.
[Bacterial cell wall]
55-56-1
200-238-7
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9552079
QD08AC52
Dermatogiocals: Antiseptics and disinfectants
No
Allowable substance (Table 1: All food producing species)
505.45
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(1E)-2-[6-[[amino-[(E)-[amino-(4-chloroanilino)methylidene]amino]methylidene]amino]hexyl]-1-[amino-(4-chloroanilino)methylidene]guanidine
1,6-bis(5-(p-chlorophenyl)biguanidino)hexane
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Colourless to pale yellow crystalline solid
Action Actodine
Kilco Chemicals Ltd
UK National authorisation (IC)
Authorised veterinary medicine for general sale (AVM - GSL)
Deosan SummerTeatcare Plus ( 0.425%w/w ) Teat dip and Teat Spray Emulsion
JohnsonDiversey Ltd
UK National authorisation
Authorised veterinary medicine for general sale (AVM - GSL)
Propisderm 0.5 % w/w Teat dip solution
Hypred S.A.
UK National authorisation
Authorised veterinary medicine for general sale (AVM - GSL)
Sebolyse shampoo for dogs and cats
Dechra Veterinary Products A/S
UK National authorisation
Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)
Available as solutions for topical application
800
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 3 = Unverified data of known source
High
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134
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1.20 X 1000
Calculated
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0.08
Low
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1.07
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source
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10.78
at 25 °C
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2.64 X 10-09
as acetate
Low volatility
1.25e-25
as acetate
Non-volatile
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Soil adsorption and mobility
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Non-mobile
31600
Literature estimate
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None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology
> 1800
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 3 = Unverified data of known source
Mouse as the digluconate
Moderate
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> 1.4
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source
Danio rerio
Moderate
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> 0.06
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source
Daphnia magna as acetate
High
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION
High (class III)
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> 1800
R3 R = Peer reviewed scientific publications 3 = Unverified data of known source
Mouse as the digluconate
Moderate
500
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat
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> 2.03
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat
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Subcutaneous LD₅₀ = 1000 mg kg⁻¹
Rat
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Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ = 60 mg kg⁻¹
Rat
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Excretion is primarily through the faeces (~ 90%). Also found in breast milk.
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source
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Carcinogen
Endocrine disruptor
No data found
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data
; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data
; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data
; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data
; E0 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 0 = No data
No data found
Reproduction / development effects
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor
Neurotoxicant
?Possibly, status not identified
No data found
No data found
Respiratory tract irritant
Skin irritant
Skin sensitiser
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
Eye irritant
Phototoxicant
 
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
No data found
 
No further information available
May decompose on heating emiting dangerous gaseous substances - halogenated compounds, oxides of nitrogen IMDG Transport Hazard Class 9
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Not listed (Not listed)
UN3077
Packaging Group III (minor danger)
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chlorhexidine
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clorhexidina
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Record last updated:
30/08/2023
Contact:
aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal , 22 (4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242