benzalkonium chloride FAQ

1.What is benzalkonium chloride used for?

Benzalkonium Chloride is primarily used as a preservative and antimicrobial agent, and secondarily used as a surfactant. It works by killing microorganisms and inhibiting their future growth, and for this reason frequently appears as an ingredient in antibacterial hand wipes, antiseptic creams and anti-itch ointments.

2.Is benzalkonium chloride safe for humans?

Concentrated solutions are toxic to humans, causing corrosion/irritation to the skin and mucosa.But Benzalkonium chloride formulations for consumer use are dilute solutions.

3.What products contain benzalkonium chloride?

Benzalkonium chloride can be found in:

Household cleaning products, such as laundry rinses/detergents

Personal care products

Wet wipes

Antiseptics

Eye drops and ophthalmic solutions

Nasal sprays and asthma inhalers (tiotropium)

Dental products.

4.Is benzalkonium chloride safe for face?

Benzalkonium Chloride is a commonly used preservative in contact lens solutions and can be found as an ingredient in antimicrobial soaps, skin antiseptics, and spermicides. Safety Information: ... It was concluded that Benzalkonium Chloride can be safely used as antimicrobial agent at concentrations up to 0.1%.

5.What germs does benzalkonium chloride kill?

The key component of BAC's antimicrobial activity is membrane destruction, which is most effective against Gram-positive bacteria, some Gram-negative bacteria, some enveloped viruses, fungi, yeasts and protozoa

6.Does benzalkonium chloride kill flu virus?

It kills bacteria, but not viruses. Triclosan is usually nondrying and won't sting. It provides some short-term protection from new germ exposure when it dries. Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and its close relative benzethonium chloride are synthetic germicides.