Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride

Description

Didecyldimethylammonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium compound used as detergent/disinfectant in hospitals, as algicide in swimming pools, and as a fungicide and against termites in wood. This compound caused contact dermatitis in a hospital employee, also sensitive to glyoxal and bis-(aminopropyl)- laurylamine.

Chemical properties

Liquid

The Uses of Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride

Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride, also known as Bardac(R) 22, or Uniquat(R) 2250, is a compound that exhibits some fungicidal and antimicrobial functions. As a quaternary ammonium based antimicrobial, it used as a bacteriostat, deodorant, disinfectant and(or) a microbiocide. As an effective cationic surfactant, it can be used in various cleaning systems. In addition, it is mildew preventative in commercial laundries, water treatment in cooling towers and oil field flood waters, and wood preservative.

Definition

ChEBI: Didecyldimethylammonium chloride is an organic molecular entity.

Flammability and Explosibility

Flammable

Agricultural Uses

Biocide, Fungicide, Bactericide, Herbicide,  Algaecide, Bacteriocide, Fungistat, Microbiocide, Microbiostat disinfectant, Viricide, Tuberculocide, Molluscide, Insecticide: General purpose disinfectant used on hard, nonporous surfaces as a sanitiser; mildew preventative, wood preservative, and to kill algae, phytopathogenic fungi, phytopathogenic bacteria. An active ingredient in many disinfectant products registered with USEPA and labelled with a claim to inactivate “avian influenza A” viruses on hard surfaces.

Trade name

ALIQUAT 203; BARDAC® 22; BARDAC® 2250, 2270, 2280

Contact allergens

This quaternary ammonium compound is used as a detergent-disinfectant in hospitals, as an algaecide in swimming pools, as a fungicide, and against termites in wood. We observed severe contact dermatitis in a slaughterhouse worker using a liquid soap containing this product (personal observation). Immediate-type manifestations like urticaria and dyspnoea have been reported.

The Uses of Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride

Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC) is a representative dialkyl-quaternary ammonium biocide which is included as an active ingredient in many types of products, including applications to hard surfaces (floors, tables, toilets, etc.), eating utensils, laundry detergents, carpets, agricultural tools and vehicles, ultrasonic tanks, water storage tanks, swimming pools, cooling water systems, etc. Products containing DDAC are used for wood preservation, and there are also registered uses for fogging agent applications in occupational settings. The content ratio of DDAC in various end-use products ranges from 0.08~80%.

Toxicity

Didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) is added directly to water to suppress microorganisms; the application rate of DDAC varies according to its usage, i.e., approximately 2 ppm for swimming pools, compared with 2,400 ppm for hospitals, health care facilities, and athletic/recreational facilities. DDAC is classified into acute oral toxicity category 3 (LD50, 238 mg/kg) according to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). DDAC is also classified as highly irritating to the eye and skin. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for DDAC was suggested to be 10 mg/kg/day according to the results of a chronic dietary toxicity study in dogs or 45.5 mg/kg/day according to a sub-chronic oral feed toxicity study in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats.