Benzalkonium Chloride Effective Against H1N1

10/12/2009 3:29:44 PM

In July the US EPA identified that based on available scientific evidence; they believe products that are registered effective against Influenza A will be effective against the 2009 strain of the H1N1 virus. This is based on the knowledge that both Influenza A and H1N1 have been identified by the FDA as envelop viruses. The EPA also produced a list of 500 products that are registered effective against Influenza A. Many of the products on this list are quaternary based disinfectants that inactivate envelope viruses in the same way Benzalkonium Chloride does.  

Studies dating back to 1963 demonstrate Benzalkonium Chloride’s effectiveness against envelope viruses such as Influenza A. And it should be noted that significant improvements have been made since then in the effectiveness. Safey and Side Effects of many quaternary based active ingredients, including Benzalkonium Chloride.