Oxidation of benzalkonium chloride by gamma irradiation: kinetics and decrease in toxicity

The gamma degradation of toxic non-oxidizing biocide dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (DDBAC) was investigated. The degradation of DDBAC achieved 70–100% depending on the initial concentration and the absorbed dose, but only 10–33% dissolved organic carbon was removed. The presence of NO3 −, HCO3 −, 2-propanol and tert-butanol inhibited the degradation of DDBAC. The DDBAC degradation rate constant ratios of ·OH, ·H and e aq − was calculated as 7.4:1.4:1. The acute toxicity of 10 mg L−1 DDBAC was removed by 60% at absorbed doses of 0.5–3.0 kGy. The results showed that gamma irradiation was effective to remove DDBAC and its toxicity.