Subject: Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride
Can someone tell me the suitability of the disinfectant Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (a quarternary ammonium compound) for use with paper based materials. One of its trade names in Australia is "Focus Disinfectant", and I have seen it on Chemical databases as Roccal and Arquad B (Lauryl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride). The Material Safety Data Sheet for Focus Disinfectant describes the product as a 0.5% solution with a pH of 6.5-7-5, a clear, coloured and perfumed liquid. It is used as a germicide and fungicide. One of the commercial salvage companies here uses it in the cleaning and disinfecting process for flood/mud damaged records, and I have received a query about its suitability, ie any long term effects for the records. Cheryl Jackson Preservation Manager National Archives of Australia cherylj [at] aa__gov__au Cheryl x967 *** Conservation DistList Instance 11:74 Distributed: Friday, March 6, 1998 Message Id: cdl-11-74-017 ***Received on Wednesday, 4 March, 1998