View source for Creosote oil (coal tar)

== Description ==

A brownish oil with a phenolic odor obtained from the distillation of [[coal tar]]. Creosote contains [[cresol]] and other phenolic compounds with approximately 12 to 14% [[anthracene]]. Prior to World War I, [[anthraquinone dye|anthraquinone dyestuffs]] were prepared from the anthracene in creosote. Creosote has also been used as an [[insecticide]], [[fungicide]], [[biocide]], and [[disinfectant]]. It is a common wood preservative for railroad ties, telephone poles, marine pilings, and shingles.

Creosote is on the ILFI [[Red list of Materials|Red list]] of building materials.
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==

creosota (Esp.); créosote (Fr.); creosote oil; liquid pitch oil; tar oil; dead oil of coal tar; heavy oil; anthracene oil
== Risks ==

* Flammable.  Flash point >93 C (>200 F).    
* Suspected carcinogen.  Irritating to skin, eyes and nose.  Inhalation or ingestion of high quantities may be toxic.   
* Bartoline: [https://www.smithandallan.com/documents/CREOSOTE%20-%20SDS10056%201%20.pdf SDS]

== Physical and Chemical Properties ==

Soluble in ethanol, benzene and toluene. Insoluble in water.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="row"| Density
| 1.050 g/ml
|-
! scope="row"| Boiling Point
| 200-400 C
|}

== Resources and Citations ==

* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 250
* Hermann Kuhn, ''Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities'', Butterworths, London, 1986
* Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, ''Technology and Conservation'', Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985
* ''Dictionary of Building Preservation'', Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996
* ''Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia'', Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
* Random House, ''Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language'', Grammercy Book, New York, 1997
* Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_tar (Accessed Jan. 15, 2006)



[[Category:Materials database]]