Abstract

Benzalkonium chloride is a concern because of its widespread use combined with environmental impacts. It has been found throughout the built and natural environment in wastewater influent, effluent, biosolids, surface water and groundwater. Once benzalkonium chloride enters the environment, it can be lethal to aquatic organisms and invoke antimicrobial resistance. Resistance is a particular concern in the food industry, where benzalkonium chloride is used as a disinfectant. Disinfectants are used liberally against biofilms, which require far higher lethal concentrations than planktonic cells and create resistance reservoirs. While the use of benzalkonium chloride in hospitals is justified with careful use, placing it in consumer products such as hand wash is only increasing the likelihood of environmental release. The widespread use of benzalkonium chloride and how we treat the portion that enters wastewater treatment must be reevaluated to create a safer, healthier environment.

摘要

苯扎氯铵是一个令人担忧的问题，因为它的广泛使用与环境影响相结合。在污水、污水、生物固体、地表水和地下水的整个建筑和自然环境中都发现了它。一旦苯扎氯铵进入环境，它就会对水生生物造成致命的影响并引起抗菌素耐药性。在食品工业中，耐药性是一个特别关注的问题，其中苯扎氯铵被用作消毒剂。消毒剂被大量用于对抗生物膜，生物膜需要比浮游细胞高得多的致死浓度并产生抗药性水库。虽然谨慎使用苯扎氯铵在医院是合理的，但将其放在洗手液等消费品中只会增加环境释放的可能性。