2025 Webinar Series – February Webinar Recording

Description

Webinar Recording

Date: February
Title: AIOH Foundation Research: Measuring Exposures to Cleaning Chemicals Containing Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Presenters: Kelly Johnstone, Peter Knott and Azrin Akram

Member Price: $0.00 (discount applied at checkout)
Non-Member Price: $38.50 (inc GST)

Session Description:
This webinar will present the results of an AIOH Foundation-funded joint research project undertaken by Dr Kelly Johnstone from UQ and Peter Knott from GCG. The project aimed to explore facility maintenance workers’ and cleaners’ exposures to a group of chemicals called Quaternary ammonium chloride compounds (Quats). Quats are a class of commonly used disinfectant chemicals encountered in domestic and hospital-grade cleaning solutions, linked to asthma and airway irritation.  They are typically present as a mixture of different compounds such as Benzyl dimethyldodecylammonium chloride (BAC12), Benzyl dimethyltetradecylammonium chloride (BAC14), Benzyl dimethylhexadecylammonium chloride (BAC16), and Didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC).

The use of Quats as antimicrobials has increased substantially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is very little available quantitative data on exposures to this group of chemicals. Therefore, very little is known about the risks posed by current work methods.

The webinar will present the AIOH Foundation-Funded study’s results, including quantitative data on exposures. Azrin Akram from Envirolab Group will also discuss the establishment of a NATA-accredited laboratory method in Australia to analyse these samples. The webinar will be useful for anyone who’s involved with facility maintenance workers or cleaners using disinfecting chemicals.

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