Quaternary Ammonium Compounds "quats" for short are commonly used in hair conditioners, shampoos, and even lotions, to impart a slippery feel to the hair and skin. Quats are the chemicals that enable you to have a little dollop of conditioner and let it easily glide and be distributed throughout your hair. They also have anti-microbial properties and are commonly used as preservatives. There are a number of problems with quats, however. First, they are known to cause skin and respiratory irritation, and some people are highly allergic to them. Second, some quaternary ammonium compounds, like benzalkonium chloride, are phenolic and have been found to be endocrine disruptors, meaning they interfere with hormone function within the body. Third, they are toxic to aquatic life, so they're not good for the environment when washed downstream.

 
Hidden QUAT ingredients and how to look for them

You might be wondering how to know if there are “quats” in your current beauty product. Some examples of substitute names for quaternary ammonium compounds are listed below. Another way to know is when looking at a label consider any ingredient ending in “um” is a Quat. Think of the use of Quats equivalent to the use of MSG in processed foods. MSG is in 55 different ingredients and it is never called MSG, but it is ubiquitous to processed foods.

Babassuamidopropalkonium chloride
Benzalkonium chloride
Benzathonium chloride
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Methylbenzethonium chloride
Cetalkonium chloride
Vegetable Oil Quaternary
Quaternium-15
Stearalkonium chloride
Polyquaternium
Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride
Behentrimonium chloride
Behentrimoniu methosulfate 

So-called “natural” products may not be natural at all... 

What often happens when we taste a food without MSG is that we may think it’s not right. The same thing happens when using a new shampoo and conditioner without Quats or PEG’s. Industry has taught us that when it comes to a product its all about the "feel". When your hair is dry and brittle and after applying a ‘miracle’ product suddenly feels silky-soft-smooth, beware and don’t be fooled. What you are touching is not actually your hair! It is the film of product on top of your hair and scalp that gives it the appearance of shiny, healthy hair. Meanwhile the hair beneath is not getting healed, it remains brittle, and overtime can become weak and malnourished.

Bottom Line
 
Quats are not aligned with our ethos we do not use them. Our entire line is MADE SAFE certified and we work hard to give you the very best feel in a product without any of the chemicals. In fact we pride ourselves in being the cleanest hair care line in the industry.
  
Quats linked to reproductive problems:
 
http://www.ehn.org/the_cost_of_clean_disinfectants_cause_birth_defects_in_baby_mice-2497174322.html
 
This article is an excerpt from:
 
http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2011/8/31/quaternary-ammonium-compounds.html