ICSC 1584 - BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE

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BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE	ICSC: 1584 (July 2006)
Quaternary ammonium compounds, benzyl-C8-18-alkyldimethyl chlorides Alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride Alkyldimethyl(phenylmethyl) quaternary ammonium chloride Ammonium alkyldimethyl(phenylmethyl) chloride Ammonium alkyldimethylbenzyl chloride

CAS #: 63449-41-2

UN #: 2928

EC Number: 264-151-6

	ACUTE HAZARDS	PREVENTION	FIRE FIGHTING
FIRE & EXPLOSION	Combustible. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire.	NO open flames.	Use water spray, powder, foam, carbon dioxide.


	SYMPTOMS	PREVENTION	FIRST AID
Inhalation	Sore throat. Sore throat. Cough. Laboured breathing.	Use local exhaust or breathing protection.	Fresh air, rest. 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.	Wear face shield.	First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.
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. Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Refer for medical attention .

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL	CLASSIFICATION & LABELLING
Personal protection: chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Sweep spilled substance into containers or absorb liquid in sand or inert absorbent and remove to safe place.	According to UN GHS Criteria Harmful if swallowed Causes severe skin burns and eye damage Very toxic to aquatic life Transportation UN Classification UN Hazard Class: 6.1; UN Subsidiary Risks: 8; UN Pack Group: II
STORAGE
Separated from food and feedstuffs. Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
PACKAGING
Do not transport with food and feedstuffs.

BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE

ICSC: 1584

PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL INFORMATION
Physical State; Appearance HYGROSCOPIC WHITE-TO-YELLOW POWDER WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR. Physical dangers Chemical dangers Decomposes on heating. This produces toxic and corrosive fumes including ammonia, chlorine and nitrogen oxides.	Formula: C₆H₅CH₂N(CH₃)2RCl, R=C₈H₁₇ - C₁₈H₃₇ Melting point: 29-34°C Solubility in water at 20°C: good

PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL INFORMATION

Physical State; Appearance
HYGROSCOPIC WHITE-TO-YELLOW POWDER WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.

Physical dangers

Chemical dangers
Decomposes on heating. This produces toxic and corrosive fumes including ammonia, chlorine and nitrogen oxides.

Formula: C₆H₅CH₂N(CH₃)2RCl, R=C₈H₁₇ - C₁₈H₃₇

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

EXPOSURE & HEALTH EFFECTS
Routes of exposure The substance can be absorbed into the body through the skin and by ingestion. Effects of short-term exposure The substance is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion. If a solution is swallowed, aspiration into the lungs may result in chemical pneumonitis.	Inhalation risk Effects of long-term or repeated exposure

EXPOSURE & HEALTH EFFECTS

Routes of exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body through the skin and by ingestion.

Effects of short-term exposure
The substance is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion. If a solution is swallowed, aspiration into the lungs may result in chemical pneumonitis.

Inhalation risk

Effects of long-term or repeated exposure

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS

ENVIRONMENT
The substance is very toxic to aquatic organisms. It is strongly advised not to let the chemical enter into the environment.

NOTES
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 RN: 8001-54-5; Other UN 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 are therefore essential. This substance is usually commercially available as a solution. Strong solutions (>10%) are corrosive.

NOTES

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 RN: 8001-54-5; Other UN 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 are therefore essential.
This substance is usually commercially available as a solution.
Strong solutions (>10%) are corrosive.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EC Classification
Symbol: C, N; R: 21/22-34-50; S: (2)-36/37/39-45-61

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