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BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE

ICSC: 1584

Quaternary ammonium compounds, benzyl-C8-18-alkyldimethyl chlorides
Alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride
Alkyldimethyl(phenylmethyl) quaternary ammonium chloride
Ammonium alkyldimethyl(phenylmethyl) chloride
Ammonium alkyldimethylbenzyl chloride
C6H5CH2N(CH3)2RCl, R=C8H17 C18H37
ICSC # 1584 		CAS # 63449-41-2
RTECS # BO3150000
UN # 2928
EC # 612-140-00-5
July 04, 2006 Validated

TYPES OF HAZARD/ EXPOSURE

ACUTE HAZARDS/ SYMPTOMS

PREVENTION

FIRST AID/
FIRE FIGHTING

FIRE Combustible. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire.
NO open flames.
Powder, water spray, foam, carbon dioxide.
EXPLOSION


EXPOSURE


•INHALATION Sore throat. Cough. Laboured breathing.
Local exhaust or breathing protection.
Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Refer for medical attention.
•SKIN Redness. Skin burns. Pain.
Protective gloves. Protective clothing.
Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer for medical attention.
•EYES Redness. Pain. Blurred vision. Severe deep burns.
Face shield .
First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then take to a doctor.
•INGESTION Abdominal pain. Nausea. Vomiting. Burning sensation. Diarrhoea. Shock or collapse.
Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work.
Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Refer for medical attention.

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL

STORAGE

PACKAGING & LABELLING

Personal protection: chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. Sweep spilled substance into containers or absorb liquid in sand or inert absorbent and remove to safe place. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment.
Separated from food and feedstuffs . Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Do not transport with food and feedstuffs.
C symbol
N symbol
R: 21/22-34-50
S: 2-36/37/39-45-61
UN Hazard Class: 6.1
UN Subsidiary Risks: 8
UN Packing Group: II
Signal: Danger
Corr-Excl mark-Enviro
Harmful if swallowed
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Very toxic to aquatic life
ICSC: 1584 Prepared in the context of cooperation between the International Programme on Chemical Safety & the Commission of the European Communities (C) IPCS CEC 1994. No modifications to the International version have been made except to add the OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs and NIOSH IDLH values.

BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE

ICSC: 1584

I

M

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A

N

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D

A

T

A

PHYSICAL STATE; APPEARANCE:
HYGROSCOPIC WHITE TO YELLOW POWDER , WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.

PHYSICAL DANGERS:


CHEMICAL DANGERS:
The substance decomposes on heating producing toxic and corrosive fumes including ammonia , chlorine and nitrogen oxides .

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS:
TLV not established.
MAK not established.


ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:
The substance can be absorbed into the body through the skin and by ingestion.

INHALATION RISK:


EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
The substance is corrosive to the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion. If a solution is swallowed, aspiration into the lungs may result in chemical pneumonitis.

EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE:

PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES

Melting point: 29-34°C
Solubility in water: good
at 20°C

ENVIRONMENTAL
DATA

The substance is very toxic to aquatic organisms. It is strongly advised that this substance does not enter the environment.

N O T E S

The EU classification refers to a group of substances known as quaternary ammonium compounds, benzyl C8-18-alkyldimethyl chlorides. Benzalkonium chloride itself is a mixture of very similar substances with different chain length and molecular mass. Other CAS RNs: 8001-54-5 XXXX Other UN and Transport Emergency Card numbers are possible, depending on manufacturers'classifications. The symptoms of lung oedema often do not become manifest until a few hours have passed and they are aggravated by physical effort. Rest and medical observation is therefore essential. This substance is usually commercially available as a solution. Strong solutions (>10%) are corrosive.
Transport Emergency Card: TEC (R)-61GTC2-II

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION



ICSC: 1584 BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE
(C) IPCS, CEC, 1994
IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE: Neither NIOSH, the CEC or the IPCS nor any person acting on behalf of NIOSH, the CEC or the IPCS is responsible for the use which might be made of this information. This card contains the collective views of the IPCS Peer Review Committee and may not reflect in all cases all the detailed requirements included in national legislation on the subject. The user should verify compliance of the cards with the relevant legislation in the country of use. The only modifications made to produce the U.S. version is inclusion of the OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs and NIOSH IDLH values.
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