Evidence
Health issue
Level of Concern
Source
A peer-reviewed publication reports some quaternary ammonium compounds cause reproductive toxicity in animals.
some
Vanessa E. Melin, Travis E. Melin, Brian J. Dessify, Christina T. Nguyen, Caroline S. Shea & Terry C. Hrubec. 2015. Quaternary Ammonium Disinfectants Cause Subfertility in Mice by Targeting both Male and Female Reproductive Processes. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.).
A peer-reviewed publication reports some quaternary ammonium compounds cause reproductive toxicity in animals.
some
Vanessa E. Melin, Haritha Potineni, Patricia Hunt, Jodi Griswold, Bill Siems, Stephen R. Werre & Terry C. Hrubec. 2014. Exposure to common quaternary ammonium disinfectants decreases fertility in mice. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) 50, 163-70.
Quaternary ammonium compounds detected in human blood was associated with increased inflammation, decreased mitochondrial function and disruption of cholesterol.
some
Terry C. Hrubec, Ryan P. Seguin, Libin Xu, Gino A. Cortopassi, Sandipan Datta, Alexandra L. Hanlon, Alicia J. Lozano, Valerie A. McDonald, Claire A. Healy, Tyler C. Anderson, Najaha A. Musse & Richard T. Williams. 2021. Altered toxicological endpoints in humans from common quaternary ammonium compound disinfectant exposure. Toxicology reports 8, 646-656.
Organohalogen compounds are often found to be persistent in the environment, bioaccumulative, and associated with chronic health concerns
some
Prasada Rao S. Kodavanti & Bommanna G. Loganathan. 2017. Organohalogen Pollutants and Human Health. International Encyclopedia of Public Health, 359-366.
This substance impacted cholesterol biosynthesis.
some
Josi Herron, Rosalyn C. Reese, Keri A. Tallman, Rohini Narayanaswamy, Ned A. Porter & Libin Xu. 2016. Identification of Environmental Quaternary Ammonium Compounds as Direct Inhibitors of Cholesterol Biosynthesis. Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology 151(2), 261-70.
Quaternary ammonium compounds altered neurodevelopment in cells.
some
Josi M. Herron, Hideaki Tomita, Collin C. White, Terrance J. Kavanagh & Libin Xu. 2021. Benzalkonium Chloride Disinfectants Induce Apoptosis, Inhibit Proliferation, and Activate the Integrated Stress Response in a 3-D in Vitro Model of Neurodevelopment. Chemical research in toxicology 34(5), 1265-1274.
Impurities
Health issue
Level of Concern
Source
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Generally accepted as an asthmagen.
Generally accepted as an asthmagen.
some
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC): AOEC Exposure Code List (2020 Update)
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Suspected of causing cancer
Suspected of causing cancer
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Known to cause cancer
Known to cause cancer
some
California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Carcinogenic to humans
Carcinogenic to humans
some
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Known To Be Human Carcinogen
Known To Be Human Carcinogen
some
National Toxicology Program (NTP): NTP 14th Report on Carcinogens
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Probably carcinogenic to humans
Probably carcinogenic to humans
some
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) - Cancer
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Toxic if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
Toxic if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Toxic in contact with skin
Only in: Household Cleaners
Toxic in contact with skin
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Toxic if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
Toxic if inhaled
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Causes nasal cancer
Causes nasal cancer
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Generally accepted as an asthmagen.
Generally accepted as an asthmagen.
some
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC): AOEC Exposure Code List (2020 Update)
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
suspected human carcinogen
suspected human carcinogen
some
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
May cause an allergic skin reaction
Only in: Household Cleaners
May cause an allergic skin reaction
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
European Union Ecolabel program data shows this substance has high acute toxicity to aquatic life
European Union Ecolabel program data shows this substance has high acute toxicity to aquatic life
some
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Oven Cleaner; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Oven Cleaner; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
some
EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Causes respiratory irritation
Causes respiratory irritation
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
Causes skin irritation
Causes skin irritation
some
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
May cause an allergic skin reaction
Only in: Household Cleaners
May cause an allergic skin reaction
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
NTP Toxcast scored 1.5-2.5
NTP Toxcast scored 1.5-2.5
some
National Toxicology Program (NTP): EWG Toxcast Analysis
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
causes serious eye irritation
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
eye irritation
eye irritation
low
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
EPA testing shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life
EPA testing shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life
low
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
EPA testing shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life
EPA testing shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life
low
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database
Impurity: FORMALDEHYDE
The European Union Ecolabel program reports this substance is readily biodegradable.
The European Union Ecolabel program reports this substance is readily biodegradable.
low
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
