TOKSIKOLOGI

Mechanism of toxicity. Detergents may precipitate and denature protein, are

iritating to tissues, and have keratolytic and corrosive actions.
a. Anionic and nonionic detergents are only mildly irritating, but cationic
detergents are more hazardous because quatemary ammonium
compounds may be caustic (benzalkonium chloride solutions of 10 %
have been reported to cause corrosive burns).
Table
Pyridinium compounds
Cetalkonium chloride
Cetrimide
Cetrimonium bromide
Cetylpyridinium chloride
Stearalkonium chloride
Quaternary ammonium compounds
Benzalkonium chloride
Benzethonium chloride
Quinolinium compounds
Dequalinium chloride
b. Low-phosphate detergents and electric dishwasher soaps often contain
alkaline corrosive agents such as sodium metasilicate, sodium carbonate,
and sodium tripolyphosphate.
c. The enzyme-containing detergents may cause skin irritation and have
sensitizing properties; they may release bradykinin and histamine,
causing bronchospasm.
Toxic dose. Mortality and serious morbidity are rare, but the nature of the toxic
effect varies with the ingredients and concentration of the specific product.
Cationic and dishwasher detergents are more dangerous than anionic and
nonionic products. For benzalkonium chloride solutions, ingestion of 100-400
mg/kg has been fatal.