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quaternary ammonium compounds for hand sanitisers
Hi, I noticed that many hand sanitisers contain Benzalkonium chloride or Benzethonium chloride. I checked their safety data sheets and they are toxic. I also read that they can cause irritation. I am a bit worry to use this products on my hands and wondering if there are restrictions on the use of these compound for hand sanitisers or some guidelines on how to keep a formulation with this compounds safe.
Any advice will be really appreciated, thanks. -
4 Replies
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They are safe in cosmetics. They’re widely used in the healthcare industry as well, and as preservatives in eye drops and antiseptic to treat minor wounds.
There is no compound that kills living organisms and is not toxic. Ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, chlorine… etc. All toxic compounds to different extends, that’s what kills germs! Dose makes the poison.There is a limit on how much of these quaternary ammonium compounds is safe for human use. In cosmetics/topicals I believe you’re looking at around 0.2% concentration but someone else should confirm that.Have a look at the safety data sheet for rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol, or isopropanol). It’s just as scary, but it’s so common in everyone’s lives that we don’t even question it’s safety. My point is, there is no need to avoid sanitizers (or antibacterials) with QACs for health concerns. -
Prescribed monograph level for Benzalkonium Cl is 0.13%, for Benzethonium Chloride 0.20%, but the latter is not as effective a germicide. Less than 5% of hand sanitizers in the USA use these quats; most use ethanol. As for safety: agree 100% with @letsalcido: these are meant to murder micro-organisms such as SARS CoV-II. Is that not a good thing?
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Thank you both very much for your advice. Really appreciated
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chemicalmatt said:Prescribed monograph level for Benzalkonium Cl is 0.13%, for Benzethonium Chloride 0.20%, but the latter is not as effective a germicide. Less than 5% of hand sanitizers in the USA use these quats; most use ethanol. As for safety: agree 100% with @letsalcido: these are meant to murder micro-organisms such as SARS CoV-II. Is that not a good thing?
Hi, thank you so much for the information. Would you be able to tell me where I can find Monograph, please? I am not really sure what they are exactly but it is the second time I heard of it. Thanks again
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