Evidence
Health issue
Level of Concern
Source
A structurally similar compound is know to be an asthmagen (sensitizing).
moderate
2020. Environmental Working Group. 2020. Quaternary ammonium compounds structural similarities.
European Union Ecolabel program data shows this substance has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life
some
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
European Union Ecolabel program data shows this substance has very high acute toxicity to aquatic life
some
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
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
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
EPA's review of industry submitted toxicity data and the potential for human exposure concludes that this substance poses a moderate risk for human health.
some
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Hazard-Based Prioritizations - Risks
Toxic in contact with skin
Only in: Household Cleaners
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
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.
Harmful in contact with skin
Only in: Household Cleaners
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
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.
Harmful if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
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
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Causes serious eye damage
Only in: Household Cleaners
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
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.
The European Union Ecolabel program reports this substance in inherently biodegradable.
low
EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database
