Pathologies induites par les ammoniums quaternaires : de la maison au travail

Quaternary ammonium compounds classified as cationic detergents are increasingly used as disinfectants for various purposes. They are classically irritants but can also cause delayed irritant reactions that are sometimes difficult to distinguish from true allergic reactions based on clinical examination and patch testing. Benzalkonium chloride is the quaternary ammonium component now used most extensively medically. As a rule, cross-reactions are observed between different quaternary ammoniums compounds. True allergic responses may be obtained by testing in a 0.1% aqueous solution or in petrolatum.