Benzyltrimethylammoniumchlorid

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces with a strong soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 900(SRC), determined from a log Kow of -2.17(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that trimethylbenzylammonium chloride is expected to have low mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of trimethylbenzylammonium chloride from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 3.4X10-14 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(4). Trimethylbenzylammonium chloride is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.2X10-7 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(5). Studies on the influence of chemical structure on quaternary ammonium compound (QACs) biodegradability suggest that alkyltrimethylammonium QACs will be most rapidly degraded followed by alkyldimethylbenzylammonium and alkylpyridinium QACs, although at high concentrations it may be toxic to the microbial population(6).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 900(SRC), determined from a log Kow of -2.17(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that trimethylbenzylammonium chloride is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment in water(SRC). By analogy to other alkyldimethylbenzyl quaternary ammonium compounds, trimethylbenzylammonium chloride is expected to strongly adsorb to sediment and suspended organic matter(8). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 3.4X10-14 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). Trimethylbenzylammonium chloride will not volatilize from water to the atmosphere(9,SRC) because it completely dissociates. According to a classification scheme(5), a BCF of <0.2(7), and a regression-derived equation(6), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low. If released to water, trimethylbenzylammonium chloride will completely dissociate(SRC) since it is an ionic compound. By analogy to other alkyldimethylbenzyl quaternary ammonium compounds, trimethylbenzylammonium chloride may biodegrade in aquatic systems at low concentrations(8).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), trimethylbenzylammonium chloride, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 2.2X10-7 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), using a fragment onstant estimation method(2), will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase trimethylbenzylammonium chloride is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 1 day(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 1.7X10-13 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3) determined using a structure estimation method(3). Particulate-phase trimethylbenzylammonium chloride may be removed from the air by wet and dry deposition(SRC).

The following link will take the user to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Test Agent Search Results page, which tabulates all of the "Standard Toxicology & Carcinogenesis Studies", "Developmental Studies", and "Genetic Toxicity Studies" performed with this chemical. Clicking on the "Testing Status" link will take the user to the status (i.e., in review, in progress, in preparation, on test, completed, etc.) and results of all the studies that the NTP has done on this chemical. [http://ntp-apps.niehs.nih.gov/ntp_tox/index.cfm?fuseaction=ntpsearch.searchresults&searchterm=56-93-9]

The Koc of trimethylbenzylammonium chloride is estimated as 900(SRC), using a log Kow of -2.17(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this estimated Koc value suggests that trimethylbenzylammonium chloride is expected to have low mobility in soil. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are strongly adsorbed by a wide variety of materials, and alkyldimethylbenzylammonium QACs are known to adsorb strongly to sewage sludge(4).

Trimethylbenzylammonium chloride's production and use as a solvent for cellulose, a gelling inhibitor in polyester resins and as an intermediate(1) and as a phase-transfer catalyst(2) may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC).

At an initial concentration of 100 mg/L, trimethylbenzylammonium chloride did not biodegrade when incubated with activated sludge for ten days(1), although at high concentrations it may be toxic to the microbial population(2). Studies on the influence of chemical structure on quaternary ammonium compound (QACs) biodegradability suggest that alkyltrimethylammonium QACs will be most rapidly degraded followed by alkyldimethylbenzylammonium and alkylpyridinium QACs; few, if any, of the QACs should be regarded as persistent(2). The acclimation of the microbial community may profoundly influence the biodegradability of alkyldimethylbenzylammonium QACs(2).

The Henry's Law constant for trimethylbenzylammonium chloride is estimated as 3.4X10-14 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) using a fragment constant estimation method(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that trimethylbenzylammonium chloride is expected to be essentially nonvolatile from water surfaces(2). Trimethylbenzylammonium chloride's Henry's Law constant(1) indicates that volatilization from moist soil surfaces will not occur(SRC). Trimethylbenzylammonium chloride is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.2X10-7 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(3).

EFFECTS OF BENZYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE ON BLOOD PRESSURE IN DOGS WAS STUDIED. IT WAS A MUSCARINIC VASODEPRESSOR.

IT WAS APPROX 1/4 TO 1/2 AS ACTIVE AS ACETYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE AS DEPRESSOR AGENT IN DOG & APPROX 4-15 TIMES AS ACTIVE IN ABILITY TO INDUCE SALIVA FORMATION. HIGHER DOSES DEMONSTRATED ANTICHOLINERGIC ACTIVITY & INHIBITION MAY BE NONCOMPETITIVE TYPE.

BENZYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM BROMIDE BLOCKED RESPONSES TO ACTYLCHOLINE, NICOTINE & POTASSIUM CHLORIDE IN FROG RECTUS ABDOMINIS PREPN. IT CAUSED INHIBITION OF RABBIT SCIATIC NERVE GASTROCNEMIUS MUSCLE PREPN.

The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of trimethylbenzylammonium chloride with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals has been estimated as 1.7X10-13 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) using a structure estimation method(1). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 1 day at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(1).

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 3,635 workers (2,606 of these are female) are potentially exposed to trimethylbenzylammonium chloride in the US(1). Occupational exposure to trimethylbenzylammonium chloride may occur through dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where trimethylbenzylammonium chloride is produced or used(SRC).

Trimethylbenzylammonium chloride's production and use as a solvent for cellulose, a gelling inhibitor in polyester resins and as an intermediate and as a phase-transfer catalyst may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. If released to air, an estimated vapor pressure of 2.2X10-7 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates trimethylbenzylammonium chloride will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase trimethylbenzylammonium chloride will be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals; the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 1 day. Particulate-phase trimethylbenzylammonium chloride will be removed from the atmosphere by wet and dry deposition. If released to soil, trimethylbenzylammonium chloride is expected to have low mobility based upon an estimated Koc of 900. By analogy to other alkyldimethylbenzyl quaternary ammonium compounds, trimethylbenzylammonium chloride is expected to strongly adsorb to sediment and suspended organic matter. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 3.4X10-14 atm-cu m/mole. If released into water, trimethylbenzylammonium chloride is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment in water based upon the estimated Koc. Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process based upon this compound's estimated Henry's Law constant. Studies on the influence of chemical structure on quaternary ammonium compound (QACs) biodegradability suggest that alkyltrimethylammonium QACs will be most rapidly degraded followed by alkyldimethylbenzylammonium and alkylpyridinium QACs, although at high concentrations it may be toxic to the microbial population. A BCF of <0.2 suggests bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low. Occupational exposure to trimethylbenzylammonium chloride may occur through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where trimethylbenzylammonium chloride is produced or used. (SRC)