Description

Benzalkonium chloride is a widely used chemical due to its broad antimicrobial properties against bacteria, fungi and viruses. This review provides an overview of the BACs market as well as regulatory actions and available data on safety, toxicity and environmental contamination.
Principles of benzalkonium chloride

Benzalkonium chlorides (BACs) are chemicals with wide applications due to their broad antimicrobial properties against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This review provides an overview of the BACs market as well as regulatory actions and available data on safety, toxicity and environmental contamination. We focus on the impact of repeated exposure of microbial communities to BACs and the potential for emergence of cross-resistant phenotypes. To this end, we examine BAC concentrations in consumer products, their association with the emergence of tolerance in microbial populations, and the associated risk potential. Our analysis suggests that the ubiquitous and frequent use of BACs in commercial products can create selective environments that favor microbial phenotypes that are potentially resistant to a variety of compounds. A benefit-versus-risk analysis should guide regulatory actions for compounds such as BACs

Structure of benzalkonium chloride

Benzalkonium chlorides (BACs), also known as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chlorides, alkyldimethyl(phenylmethyl) quaternary ammonium chlorides, alkyldimethylammonium chlorides (phenylmethyl), or alkylammonium alkyldimethylbenzylammonium (alkyldimethylammonium) Benzyl, from ACQ compounds (Figure 1A). They are usually commercialized as a mixture of compounds with different alkyl chain lengths, from C8 to C18, with higher biocidal activity for C12 and C14 derivatives.
Market and application of benzalkonium chloride

BACs were first reported in 1935 by Gerhard Domagk and were marketed as zephyrane chloride as promising and superior antiseptics and disinfectants. In 1947, the first product containing BAC was registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States. Since then, they have been used in a wide variety of products, both prescription and over-the-counter. Applications range from domestic to agricultural, industrial, and clinical (Figure 1B). Internal applications include fabric softeners, personal hygiene, and cosmetic products such as shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion, as well as ophthalmic solutions and nasal medications. BACs are also the most common active ingredients in disinfectants used in residential, industrial, agricultural and clinical environments. Additional registered uses for BACs in the United States include indoor and outdoor applications.