Benzalkonium Chloride BKC 50%

About Benzalkonium Chloride BKC 50%

Benzalkonium chloride (BKC) 50% is a concentrated solution of a quaternary ammonium compound widely used as a disinfectant, antiseptic, and preservative. Heres what you should know:

Key Properties:

• Chemical Formula:Mixture of alkyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides (typically C-C chains).

• Appearance:Clear, colorless to pale yellow viscous liquid.

• Solubility:Highly soluble in water and alcohol.

• Concentration:50% active ingredient (the rest is typically water or solvent).

Common Uses:

1. Disinfectant:Effective against bacteria, fungi, and some viruses (used in surface cleaners, wipes, and medical/sanitizing products).

2. Preservative:Found in cosmetics, eye/ear drops, and nasal sprays (typically at much lower concentrations, e.g., 0.010.1%).

3. Industrial:Water treatment, algae control, and as a surfactant.

Safety & Handling:

• Toxicity:Harmful if swallowed, causes skin/eye irritation (use PPE: gloves, goggles).

• Dilution:For most applications, dilute to 0.110% (e.g., for disinfecting surfaces, 0.10.5% is common).

• Incompatibilities:Avoid anionic surfactants (e.g., soap) or strong oxidizers, which can deactivate it.

Storage:

• Keep in a tightly sealed container, away from light and heat.

• Shelf life: Typically 23 years if stored properly.