Evidence
Health issue
Level of Concern
Source
Asthmagen (sensitizing)
moderate
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC): AOEC Exposure Code List (2020 Update)
Asthmagen (sensitizing)
moderate
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC): AOEC Exposure Code List (2020 Update)
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Toxic in contact with skin
Only in: Household Cleaners
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
A peer-reviewed publication reports some quaternary ammonium compounds cause reproductive toxicity in animals.
some
Vanessa E. Melin, Travis E. Melin, Brian J. Dessify, Christina T. Nguyen, Caroline S. Shea & Terry C. Hrubec. 2015. Quaternary Ammonium Disinfectants Cause Subfertility in Mice by Targeting both Male and Female Reproductive Processes. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.).
A peer-reviewed publication reports some quaternary ammonium compounds cause reproductive toxicity in animals.
some
Vanessa E. Melin, Haritha Potineni, Patricia Hunt, Jodi Griswold, Bill Siems, Stephen R. Werre & Terry C. Hrubec. 2014. Exposure to common quaternary ammonium disinfectants decreases fertility in mice. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) 50, 163-70.
Harmful in contact with skin
Only in: Household Cleaners
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Harmful if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
NTP Toxcast scored 2.5-3.5
some
National Toxicology Program (NTP): EWG Toxcast Analysis
Toxic of swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Quaternary ammonium compounds detected in human blood was associated with increased inflammation, decreased mitochondrial function and disruption of cholesterol.
some
Terry C. Hrubec, Ryan P. Seguin, Libin Xu, Gino A. Cortopassi, Sandipan Datta, Alexandra L. Hanlon, Alicia J. Lozano, Valerie A. McDonald, Claire A. Healy, Tyler C. Anderson, Najaha A. Musse & Richard T. Williams. 2021. Altered toxicological endpoints in humans from common quaternary ammonium compound disinfectant exposure. Toxicology reports 8, 646-656.
Harmful if swallowed
Only in: Household Cleaners
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
Causes serious eye damage
Only in: Household Cleaners
Only in: Household Cleaners
some
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website
This substance impacted cholesterol biosynthesis.
some
Josi Herron, Rosalyn C. Reese, Keri A. Tallman, Rohini Narayanaswamy, Ned A. Porter & Libin Xu. 2016. Identification of Environmental Quaternary Ammonium Compounds as Direct Inhibitors of Cholesterol Biosynthesis. Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology 151(2), 261-70.
Quaternary ammonium compounds altered neurodevelopment in cells.
some
Josi M. Herron, Hideaki Tomita, Collin C. White, Terrance J. Kavanagh & Libin Xu. 2021. Benzalkonium Chloride Disinfectants Induce Apoptosis, Inhibit Proliferation, and Activate the Integrated Stress Response in a 3-D in Vitro Model of Neurodevelopment. Chemical research in toxicology 34(5), 1265-1274.
