BARDAC 208M

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) have been used as surface disinfectants and biocides since the 1930s. 
Over decades manufacturers developed generations of QACs with differing alkyl chain lengths, twin‑chain structures, and benzyl substitutions to improve spectrum, activity in the presence of organic matter, material compatibility, foaming behaviour, and safety profile. BARDAC® branded products originated as Lonza formulations and have been distributed globally under various regulatory registrations; product variants such as BARDAC® 205M and BARDAC® 208M are examples of blends optimized for different application niches.

Identity, trade names and synonyms
Trade name: BARDAC® 208M (commonly written as BARDAC 208M, Bardac 208 M)
Brand family: BARDAC® (Lonza/Arxada/third‑party distributors)
Typical descriptor: Twin‑chain quaternary ammonium antimicrobial blend; 5th‑generation quat blend (industry marketing term)
Common commercial synonyms used in product listings: Bardac 208 M, BARDAC™ 208M, Bardac® 208M antimicrobial concentrate

Reported CAS numbers and regulatory identifiers
Different commercial databases and sellers report one or more CAS identifiers for BARDAC® 208M or components thereof. Reported identifiers include, but may not be limited to:
CAS (listed in some supplier/catalog entries): 107028‑70‑6 (appears in several chemical supplier databases)
CAS entries appearing in other product catalogues/regulatory summaries: 68424‑95‑3, 68424‑85‑1, and 6440‑58‑0 (these may correspond to specific quaternary components or legacy listings)
Regulatory: EPA registration numbers for formulations using BARDAC products have historically included numbers such as 6836‑67 and 6836‑66 (example: FIFRA product registrations for Bardac 205M/208M formulations).

Typical composition and physical description
Composition (typical commercial description reported in technical literature and marketing materials):
~80% active quaternary ammonium material (blend of twin‑chain QACs — often C12–C16 chain mixtures and/or dialkyldimethyl ammonium chlorides)
~10% ethanol (denaturant/solvent)
~10% water and minor formulation additives
Physical state: viscous liquid / concentrate at ambient temperature; appearance often described as clear to hazy pale liquid.
Odour: characteristic ammonium/quaternary ammonium faint solvent note (from ethanol).
Solubility: miscible or dispersible in water at use dilutions; concentrate may require mixing.

Physicochemical properties
pH: product pH depends on formulation (labels for related Bardac products indicate alkaline to near‑neutral ranges depending on coformulants).
Density and viscosity: concentrate density typically >1 g·cm‑3; viscosity varies with concentration and temperature.
Surface activity: strong surfactant properties reduce surface tension and aid wetting and soil penetration, distinguishing twin‑chain QACs from single‑chain benzalkonium chloride variants in terms of foaming and wetting behavior.

Synthesis and manufacturing routes (industrial)
Bardac blends are manufactured by alkylation and quaternization chemistries typical for dialkyl dimethyl ammonium compounds or alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides. 
Feedstocks include long‑chain alkenes/alcohols or fatty amine derivatives which are alkylated and then quaternized with methylating agents or benzyl halides to yield the quaternary salts. 
Final blending includes solvent (ethanol) and quality control to target active percent and chain length distribution.

Mechanism(s) of antimicrobial action
QACs act primarily via disruption of microbial cell membranes. 
The cationic headgroup associates with negatively charged components of cell envelopes (lipopolysaccharides, teichoic acids) while hydrophobic alkyl chains insert into lipid bilayers, causing loss of membrane integrity, leakage of intracellular contents, and rapid cell death. 
Twin‑chain QACs often produce stronger membrane perturbation than single‑chain analogues, improving activity against Gram‑negative organisms and providing better performance in hard‑water and organic load.

Microbiological efficacy and spectrum
Broad‑spectrum bactericidal activity (Gram‑positive and many Gram‑negative bacteria) at manufacturer‑recommended use rates and under standardized test conditions (AOAC use‑dilution, EN standards, etc.).

Fungicidal and some virucidal claims are possible for formulated end‑use products where validated by required tests; efficacy against non‑enveloped viruses varies and requires validated claim support per regulatory frameworks.
Algaecidal activity: reported for certain water treatment and industrial use cases.

Formulation, stability and compatibility
BARDAC® 208M is designed to be blended into detergents, hard‑surface disinfectants, sanitizers and some industrial water treatment formulations.
Compatibility: QACs can be inactivated by anionic surfactants, strong oxidizers (e.g., high concentrations of hypochlorite), and certain soaps; formulation must address potential antagonists.
Stability: stable under normal storage conditions if kept away from freezing and prolonged high heat; ethanol content can aid microbiological stability.

Application methods and recommended use rates
Typical end‑use dilutions and contact times depend on the specific end product and registration label. 
Historical label references recommend AOAC or EN validated concentrations and contact times for target organisms (e.g., bactericidal activity in wastewater, healthcare, and food‑contact sanitation requires following label claims).
Uses: hard surface disinfection (healthcare, institutional cleaning), sanitizing in food processing (where registered), industrial water treatment, cooling towers (microbial control), and specialty disinfectant formulations.

SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT BARDAC 208M

First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician. 
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
 
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air. 
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. 
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
 
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
 
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting. 
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. 
Rinse mouth with water. 
Consult a physician.
 
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
 
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment. 
 
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas. 
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
 
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
 
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste. 
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
 
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
 
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. 
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
 
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
 
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles. 
Faceshield (8-inch minimum). 
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
 
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves. 
Gloves must be inspected prior to use. 
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. 
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. 
Wash and dry hands.
 
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
 
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls. 
 
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator. 
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. 
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
 
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions. 
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
 
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. 
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product