Quaternary ammonium compounds, benzyl-C12-16-alkyldimethyl, chlorides

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

General information: If exposed or concerned get medical advice/attention. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, and take precautions to protect themselves. Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

Inhalation: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. Provide oxygen or artificial respiration if needed. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim inhaled the substance. Induce artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Call a physician or Poison Control Centre immediately.

Skin Contact: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Wash off with soap and plenty of water. Call a physician or Poison Control Centre immediately. For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin.

Eye contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Call a physician or Poison Control Centre immediately.

Ingestion: Call a physician or Poison Control Centre immediately. Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, keep head low so that stomach content doesn't get into the lungs.

Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed: Irritation of eyes and mucous membranes. Symptoms may include stinging, tearing, redness, swelling, and blurred vision. Corrosive effects. May cause temporary blindness and severe eye damage.

Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed: In case of shortness of breath, give oxygen. Keep victim warm. Keep victim under observation. Symptoms may be delayed.

Fire-fighting measures

General fire hazards: Flammable liquid and vapour.

Suitable extinguishing media: Water Fog. Carbon dioxide (CO2). Alcohol resistant foam. Powder.

Unsuitable extinguishing media: Do not use water jet as an extinguisher, as this will spread the fire.

Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture: By heating and fire, harmful vapours/gases may be formed.

Advice for firefighters: Firefighters must use standard protective equipment including flame retardant coat, helmet with face shield, gloves, rubber boots, and in enclosed spaces, SCBA. Structural firefighters protective clothing will only provide limited protection.

In case of fire and/or explosion do not breathe fumes. Use standard firefighting procedures and consider the hazards of other involved materials. Move containers from fire area if you can do so without risk. Water runoff can cause environmental damage.

Accidental release measures

Personnal precautions:

Immediately evacuate non-essential personnel to safe areas. Local authorities should be advised if significant spillages cannot be contained.

Fully encapsulating, vapour protective clothing should be worn for spills and leaks with no fire.

Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing.

Keep people away from and upwind of spill/leak. Ventilate closed spaces before entering them.

Environmental precautions:

Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not contaminate water. Avoid discharge into drains, water courses or onto the ground.

Contact local authorities in case of spillage to drain/aquatic environment.

Methods and material for containment and cleaning up:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area).

Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil etc) away from spilled material.

Large Spills: Dike the spilled material, where this is possible. Absorb spillage with non-combustible, absorbent material.

Following product recovery, flush area with water. Prevent product from entering drains.

Small Spills: Clean surface thoroughly to remove residual contamination.

Handling and storage

Handling:

Do not handle, store or open near an open flame, sources of heat or sources of ignition.

Protect material from direct sunlight. Take precautionary measures against static discharges.

All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded.

Do not breathe mist or vapour. Use non-sparking tools and explosion-proof equipment.

Do not get this material in contact with eyes, skin or clothing. Do not taste or swallow.

Use personal protective equipment as required. Use only outside or in a well-ventilated area.

Avoid prolonged exposure. When using, do not eat, drink or smoke. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

Avoid release to the environment. Do not empty into drains.

Storage:

Store in a cool, well-ventilated place. . Keep container tightly closed. Keep away from heat, sparks and open flame.

Prevent electrostatic charge build-up by using common bonding and grounding techniques.

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

UN2924.

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

Flammable liquid, corrosive, n.o.s. (Benzalkonium Chloride in Industrial Methylated Spirits (IMS))

Chemical name:

Quaternary ammonium compounds, benzyl-C12-16-alkyldimethyl, chlorides with ethanol / methanol

Language:

English

Labels:

3 + 8

Special provisions / remarks

Remarks:

This material is an on-site isolated intermediate. At no time is it transported off site by any means so this section is not essentially applicable.
However the transport codes are supplied for information only.

Inland waterway transport (UN RTDG/ADN(R))

Shipping

Special provisions / remarks

Remarks:

This material is an on-site isolated intermediate. At no time is it transported off site by any means so this section is not applicable.

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

Shipping

Special provisions / remarks

Remarks:

This material is an on-site isolated intermediate. At no time is it transported off site by any means so this section is not applicable.

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

Shipping

Special provisions / remarks

Remarks:

This material is an on-site isolated intermediate. At no time is it transported off site by any means so this section is not applicable.

Additional transport information

Additional information

Special provisions / remarks / other:

This material is an on-site isolated intermediate. At no time is it transported off site by any means so this section is not applicable.

Exposure controls / personal protection

Engineering controls:

Good general ventilation (typically 10 air changes per hour) should be used. Ventilation rates should be matched to conditions. If applicable, use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to maintain airborne levels below recommended exposure limits. If exposure limits have not been established, maintain airborne levels to an acceptable level.

Eye/face protection:

Do not get in eyes. Wear eye/face protection to EN166. Chemical goggles are recommended. Eye wash fountain is recommended.

Skin protection:

Hand protection - wear protective chemical resistant gloves made of butyl rubber or nitrile rubber category III according to EN 374.

Observe instructions regarding permeability and breakthrough time which are provided by the supplier of the gloves. Also take into consideration the specific local conditions under which the product is used, such as the danger of cuts, abrasion, and the contact time.

Body protection - wear appropriate chemical resistant clothing. Safety shower is recommended.

Respiratory protection:

In case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment.

When workers are facing concentrations above the exposure limit they must use appropriate certified respirators.

Hygiene measures:

When using, do not eat, drink or smoke. Do not get in eyes, on skin or on clothing.

Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling the product. Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practices.

Stability and reactivity

Chemical stability: Risk of ignition.

Possibility of hazardous reactions: Hazardous reactions will not occur under normal storage or use conditions.

Conditions to avoid: Heat, flames and sparks. Avoid temperatures exceeding the flash point.

Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents.

Hazardous decomposition products: No dangerous reaction known under conditions of normal use.

Disposal considerations

Residual waste:

This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous waste.

Do not allow this material to drain into sewers/water supplies. Do not contaminate ponds, waterways or ditches with chemical or used container.

Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local/regional/national/international regulations.

Contaminated packaging:

Empty containers or liners may retain some product residues. They should be taken to an approved waste handling site for recycling or disposal.

Since emptied containers may retain product residue, follow label warnings even after container is emptied.

EU waste code:       The Waste code should be assigned in discussion between the user, the producer and the waste disposal company.