Neutralization of the eye and skin irritant benzalkonium chloride using UVC radiation.
Cutan Ocul Toxicol
; 40(2): 78-84, 2021 Jun.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1153034
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) is a widely used disinfectant and preservative which is effective against a wide range of viruses (e.g. SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2), bacteria and fungi. However, it is toxic to the eye and skin. This study investigated the neutralization of BAK using ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation as an effort to reduce BAK toxicity potential.METHODS:
BAK solutions were irradiated with a germicidal UVC lamp at various doses. Human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC) were then exposed to the UVC-irradiated BAK solutions for 5 minutes. After exposure, the cultures were assessed for metabolic activity using PrestoBlue; for cell viability using confocal microscopy with viability dyes; and for tight junction proteins using immunofluorescence staining for zonula occludens (ZO)-1.RESULTS:
UVC radiation reduced BAK toxicity on cell metabolic activity in a dose-dependent manner. When the solution depth of BAK was 1.7 mm, the UVC doses needed to completely neutralize the toxicity of BAK 0.005% and 0.01% were 2.093 J/cm2 and 8.374 J/cm2, respectively. The cultures treated with UVC-neutralized BAK showed similar cell metabolic activity and cell viability to those treated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (p = 0.806 â¼ 1.000). The expression of ZO-1 was greatly disturbed by untreated BAK; in contrast, ZO-1 proteins were well maintained after exposure to UVC-neutralized BAK.CONCLUSIONS:
Our study demonstrates that the cell toxicity of BAK can be neutralized by UVC radiation, which provides a unique way of detoxifying BAK residues. This finding may be of great value in utilizing the antimicrobial efficacy of BAK (e.g. fighting against SARS-CoV-2) while minimizing its potential hazards to human health and the environment.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Skin
/
Benzalkonium Compounds
/
Eye
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Cutan Ocul Toxicol
Journal subject:
Dermatology
/
Ophthalmology
/
Toxicology
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
15569527.2021.1902339
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