Benzalkonium chloride
Last updated: 22/01/2023
(Also known as: zephiran chloride; benirol; alkyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride)
Benzalkonium chloride is a multi-use biocide used mainly for cleaning hard surfaces. Data relating to its environmental fate and ecotoxicology is scant but it is moderately toxic to aquatic organisms. It is moderately toxic to humans if ingested and is a reproduction/developmental and neurological toxin. It is also a recognised irritant.
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
 
A multi-use biocide used for cleaning and preparation of all types of hard surfaces
Mould; Mildew; Mosses; Fungi; Algae
Hard surfaces including walkways, pavements, patios
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Considered obsolete but may be available in some countries
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Not approved
Expired
No UK approval for use
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)
Not approved
Not applicable
Expired
Not applicable
Yes
ATAustria
BEBelgium
BGBulgaria
CYCyprus
CZCzech Republic
DEGermany
DKDenmark
EEEstonia
ELGreece
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ESSpain
FIFinland
FRFrance
HRCroatia
HUHungary
IEIreland
ITItaly
LTLithuania
LULuxembourg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LVLatvia
MTMalta
NLNetherlands
PLPoland
PTPortugal
RORomania
SESweden
SISlovenia
SKSlovakia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ISIceland
NONorway
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A mixrture of at least three components - none of which are isomeric
e.g. C₂₁H₃₈ClN
CC(C)(C)CC(C)(C)C1=CC=C(C=C1)OCCOCC[N+](C)(C)CC2=CC=CC=C2.[Cl-]
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-
InChI=1S/C21H38N.ClH/c1-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-16-19-22(2,3)20-21-17-14-13-15-18-21;/h13-15,17-18H,4-12,16,19-20H2,1-3H3;1H/q+1;/p-1
Yes
Biocide, Fungicide, Algicide
Unclassified pesticide
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-
Synthetic
Rapid action, thought to effect the cytoplasmic membrane that controls cell permeability
8001-54-5
264-151-6
None allocated
069105
No data
No data found
e.g. 339.99
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mixture of alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides
quaternary ammonium compounds, alkylbenzyldimethyl, chlorides
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-
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
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Yellowish-white powder
Obsolete - not thought to be commercially available for crop protection applications
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10000
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source
Ether
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35
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source
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-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.98
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-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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-
-
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-
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-
-
-
-
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-
-
-
-
-
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-
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Soil adsorption and mobility
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-
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Cannot be calculated
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None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology
240
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat
Moderate
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-
-
-
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-
-
-
-
-
-
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-
-
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-
0.823
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Moderate
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-
0.11
Daphnia magna
Moderate
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-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
0.18
Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Moderate
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-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION
High (class III)
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-
240
E3 E = Manufacturers safety data sheets 3 = Unverified data of known source
Rat
Moderate
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EU MRL pesticide database 
GB MRL expected to deviate from the EU MRL in mid-2023
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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
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
XNo, known not to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
Respiratory tract irritant
Skin irritant
Skin sensitiser
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
No data found
Eye irritant
Phototoxicant
 
✓Yes, known to cause a problem
No data found
 
Severe over-exposure can produce lung damage Kidneys, liver, heart, gastrointestinal tract toxicant
Corrosive Hygroscopic
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Not classified: Obsolete
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benzalkonium chloride
chlorure de benzalkonium
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cloruro de benzalconio
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Record last updated:
22/01/2023
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