Mold Remediation

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

It’s a very broad term, and an important concept to understand when discussing the dangers of traditional disinfectants and sterilants, and the beauty and simplicity of the Breathe Pure Solutions two-step process. 


Quaternary ammonium compounds are nitrogenous organic compounds mostly used as disinfectants in restaurants, hospitals, and homes. The basic chemical structure of ammonium is a nitrogen atom with four hydrogen atoms attached around it. Quaternary ammonium is created when each of those four hydrogen atoms is replaced with some combination of four other organic chains or rings. 


Because of the limitless number of possible combinations, there are many different versions of quaternary ammonium products available,  and new ones are constantly in development. As previously mentioned, each “quat” molecule has a central “core” characterized by a positively charged nitrogen atom (N+) that is attached to other chemical active groups that include carbon.  Many many different quat based compounds are created by modifying this basic molecule.  Most quats are sanitizers and or disinfectants. Side Note, Ammonium is not Ammonia.

It is critically important to not confuse this description with our EverPure process and specifically gold shield 5.  The simple chemical description of Goldshield 5 is a nitrogen core, with a silane molecule, and associated carbon atoms. It falls into the definition of a quaternary ammonium compound but is far from what health practitioners, naturopathic, homeopathic practitioners sound the alarms regarding. It is a quat by classical definition only. It is not a quat by traditional disinfecting terms. 

Why are quats controversial? Most quats are potent disinfectant chemicals commonly found in disinfectant wipes, sprays, household cleaners, hospital disinfectants, etc. all designed to kill germs. Most do this by breaking down protein, disrupting cell walls, cross-linking, coagulating, and oxidizing.  The quat is often the stuff that allows a product to claim to be antibacterial. So why all the concern over quats? It comes down to what the positively charged Nitrogen core is attached with. or vice versa. Some are really, really unhealthy, and are even classified as carcinogens.

Some Quats are formaldehyde-releasing toxic chemicals that have been associated with multiple health risks including:

  • Allergies & irritation (skin, eye, lung)
  • Contact dermatitis – Studies estimate that between 13% and 34% of contact dermatitis cases may be linked to quats.
  • Asthma- triggering it in those who already have asthma and new-onset in people with no prior asthma
  • Reproductive and developmental toxicity
  • Injuries: eye and mucous membrane injuries from splashes or contact with mists and oral and gastrointestinal injuries from swallowing solutions containing quats
  • Promoting “superbugs“. Concerns about quaternary ammonium compounds leading to resistant bacteria stem from how these ingredients interact with bacterial cell membranes.

An example, Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides. (ADBAC)’s. There are over 20 different alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides used in different formulations as part of disinfectant products. These are characterized by a benzene ring known to cause all kinds of health concerns. Including being carcinogenic, asthmatic, and an immune system disruptor.

Another is dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC). There are five DDAC compounds that are structurally similar to two alkyl groups and two methyl groups. DDAC-based (products are used in disinfectants as well. Examples of active ingredients in quotes that should be avoided are:

  • *Benzalkonium Chloride
  • *Benzethonium chloride
  • *Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride

The beauty of the Pure Maintenance two-step process, is that we use a very safe sterilant, (peracetic acid is one of only 7 antimicrobials listed by the EPA as a “safer choice”) to denature the spores or cells of concern. It breaks down to oxygen and water when we are done. We then use a very mechanical version of a quat, to place a protectant on all surfaces. It’s the reason we felt like a patent on the 2 step process was vitally important.

Back to the million-dollar question, is Goldshield a quat? Well, yes. It is characterized by a core Nitrogen atom. But that’s where the similarities of the classic “quat” inference end. Goldshield is trihydroxsilypropyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. Sounds potentially scary, but on the contrary, is a really safe, water-soluble “mechanical” structure. It is not built to kill. It is built to protect. Essentially making every surface that has Goldshield “covalently bonded” to it very inhospitable to microbes. It is that simple. Comparing Goldshield to a classic quat begins and ends with the Nitrogen core. Quats are formaldehyde-releasing toxic chemicals that have been associated with multiple health risks including:

  • Allergies & irritation (skin, eye, lung)
  • Contact dermatitis – Studies estimate that between 13% and 34% of contact dermatitis cases may be linked to quats.
  • Asthma- triggering it in those who already have asthma and new-onset in people with no prior asthma
  • Reproductive and developmental toxicity
  • Injuries: eye and mucous membrane injuries from splashes or contact with mists and oral and gastrointestinal injuries from swallowing solutions containing quats
  • Promoting “superbugs“. Concerns about quaternary ammonium compounds leading to resistant bacteria stem from how these ingredients interact with bacterial cell membranes.
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