Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride (ADBAC / Benzalkonium Chloride)

Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC) — commonly called benzalkonium chloride or "quat ammonium" — is the most widely used quaternary ammonium disinfectant active in EPA-registered cleaners. The molecule has a positively charged nitrogen with a benzyl group and a long alkyl tail (C12-C16 mix); it disrupts bacterial cell membranes by inserting the alkyl tail into the lipid bilayer. **Health classifications:** - H314 (skin corrosion) at concentrate strengths (>5%); H315 (skin irritation) at use dilution (0.1-0.5%) - H318 (serious eye damage) at concentrate; H319 or H320 (eye irritation) at use dilution - **Asthmagen flag: yes** — quaternary ammonium compounds including ADBAC are documented occupational asthmagens for cleaning workers in healthcare and food-service settings (peer-reviewed evidence base spanning 2000s-2020s). The asthmagen risk is dose- and frequency-dependent; consumer use at RTU dilution with brief exposure is a different exposure pattern from chronic occupational use, but the molecule is an asthmagen by class. - Not on Prop 65 list **Environmental:** - Aquatic toxicity at concentrate strength (H400/H410) — significant fish/Daphnia toxicity - Biodegradable (OECD 301B confirmed) — quats degrade in wastewater treatment plants - Not bioaccumulative; not PFAS In OdoBan-style RTU products, ADBAC is at 0.3% — the working antimicrobial concentration. The 1-gallon concentrate strength is ~2% ADBAC, where corrosion and serious eye damage classifications apply.