n.
A viscous black liquid containing numerous organic compounds that is obtained by the destructive distillation of coal and used as a roofing, waterproofing, and insulating compound and as a raw material for many dyes, drugs, and paints.
coal tar
| Dictionary: coal tar |
n.
| 5min Related Video: coal tar |
| Chemistry Dictionary: coal tar |
A tar obtained from the destructive distillation of coal. Formerly, coal tar was obtained as a by-product in manufacturing coal gas. Now it is produced in making coke for steel making. The crude tar contains a large number of organic compounds, such as benzene, naphthalene, methylbenzene, phenols, etc., which can be obtained by distillation. The residue is pitch. At one time coal tar was the major source of organic chemicals, most of which are now derived from petroleum and natural gas.
| Dental Dictionary: coal tar |
n
An extract of coal used in combination with other compounds for the treatment of chronic skin diseases, such as eczema and psoriasis. Also a derivative of tobacco smoke that may act as an irritant and carcinogen.
| Drug Info: Coal Tar |
Brand names: Balnetar®, Betatar® Gel, Cutar®, Denorex®, Denorex® Dry Scalp, Denorex® Extra Strength, Denorex® Medicated Shampoo and Conditioner, DHS® Tar, Doak, Doak® Tar, Doak® Tar Oil, Estar®, Fototar™, Ionil T®, Ionil T® Plus, MG217® Lotion, MG217® Psoriasis, MG217® Shampoo, Neutrogena® T-Derm, Neutrogena® T-Gel Extra Strength, Neutrogena® T-Gel®, Oxipor® VHC Lotion, Pentrax®, Pentrax® Gold, Polytar®, Psorigel®, Reme-T®, Tarsum®, Tegrin® Medicated Soap, Tera® Gel, Therapeutic Shampoo, Theraplex® T, X-Seb T® Pearl, X-Seb T® Plus, Zetar®
- Drug Forms:
- Coal tar shampoo (below)
- Coal Tar Shampoo
- Coal Tar Topical cream
- Coal Tar Topical foam
- Coal Tar Topical gel
- Coal Tar Topical oil
- Coal Tar Topical suspension
- Español:
- Champú de alquitrán
- Coáltar, Champú
- Coáltar, Crema tópica
- Coáltar, Espuma tópica
- Coáltar, Gel tópico
- Coáltar, Aceite tópico
- Coáltar, Suspensión tópica
Coal tar shampoo
What is coal tar shampoo?
COAL TAR (Neutragena® T/Gel®, DHS® Tar, Tegrin® Medicated, Pentrax®, Tersa-Tar®, Ionil T® Plus, Denorex®, Tru-Tar®, Duplex®T) is shampooed into the scalp to treat a number of skin disorders including dandruff, dermatitis, seborrhea, eczema, and psoriasis. Some generic forms of coal tar shampoo are available.What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:• inflamed, damaged or broken skin
• exposure to sunlight
• an unusual or allergic reaction to coal tar, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Coal tar is only for external use on the skin. Wet hair with warm water; massage in shampoo, then rinse; repeat application and leave in for 5 minutes; rinse thoroughly. Wash hands well after use. Do not use more often than directed.Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.What drug(s) may interact with coal tar?
There are no known drug interactions with coal tar preparations. Coal tar can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight and use should be avoided with:• psoralens
• tetracycline
• tretinoin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional: about any other prescription or non-prescription cream, ointment, lotion or other skin products you are using.
What should I watch for while taking coal tar?
Coal tar can stain your skin, nails, hair, or clothing. The color should wash out of your skin, nails and hair a few days after you stop using coal tar. Coal tar may permanently stain clothing.Unless directed by your prescriber or health care professional, do not expose yourself to the sun for at least 24 to 72 hours after applying coal tar. Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher). Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.
Do not apply coal tar to inflamed, broken, burned, or infected skin.
Do not get the shampoo in your eyes; if you do, rinse off with plenty of cool tap water.
What side effects may I notice from using coal tar?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:• skin rash, irritation, swelling or redness
• hair follicle irritation, swelling or redness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• increased sensitivity to the sun
• staining of skin, nails, or clothing
• stinging
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused shampoo after the expiration date.
Last updated: 7/1/2002
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
| Columbia Encyclopedia: coal tar |
coal tar, product of the destructive distillation of bituminous coal. Coal tar can be distilled into many fractions to yield a number of useful organic products, including benzene, toluene, xylene, naphthalene, anthracene, and phenanthrene. These substances, called the coal-tar crudes, form the starting point for the synthesis of numerous products—notably dyes, drugs, explosives, flavorings, perfumes, preservatives, synthetic resins, and paints and stains. The residual pitch left from the fractional distillation is used for paving, roofing, waterproofing, and insulation.
| Veterinary Dictionary: coal tar |
A by-product obtained in destructive distillation of bituminous coal or wood; useful for its keratolytic, keratoplastic and antiseborrheic effects in ointments and shampoos for the treatment of skin disease.
| Wikipedia: Coal tar |
Coal tar is a brown or black liquid of high viscosity, which smells of naphthalene and aromatic hydrocarbons. Coal tar is among the by-products when coal is carbonized to make coke or gasified to make coal gas. Coal tars are complex and variable mixtures of phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heterocyclic compounds. [1]
Contents |
Applications
Being flammable, coal tar is sometimes used for heating or to fire boilers. Like most heavy oils, it must be heated before it will flow easily.
Like pine tar, it can be used in medicated shampoo, soap and ointment, as a treatment for dandruff and psoriasis, as well as being used to kill and repel head lice. When used as a medication in the U.S., coal tar preparations are considered an OTC (over-the-counter drug) pharmaceutical and are subject to regulation by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Name brands include Denorex, Balnetar, Psoriasin, Tegrin, T-Gel, and Neutar. Coal tar is also used to synthesize paracetamol (acetaminophen). Coal tar was formerly used as one of the primary ingredients of asphalt pavements. Today, petroleum derived binders and sealers are more commonly used. These sealers are used to extend the life and lower maintenance cost associated with asphalt pavements, primarily in asphalt road paving, car parks and walkways.
Tar is used in treatment of the skin disease psoriasis, where coal tar is the most effective. Petroleum tar was also used in ancient Egyptian mummification circa 1000 BC.[2]
Tar was a vital component of the first sealed, or "tarmac", roads. The streets of Baghdad were the first to be paved with tar from the 8th century AD.[3]
Safety
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, preparations that include more than 5 percent of crude coal tar are Group 1 carcinogen.
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation and the FDA, coal tar is a valuable, safe and inexpensive treatment option for millions of people with psoriasis and other scalp conditions. [4] Coal tar concentrations between 0.5% and 5% are safe and effective for psoriasis, and no scientific evidence suggests that the coal tar in the concentrations seen in non-prescription treatments is carcinogenic. The NPF states that coal tar contains approximately 10,000 different chemicals, of which only about 50% have been identified [5], and the composition of coal tar varies with its origin and type of coal (eg: lignite, bituminous or anthracite) used to make it.
See also
 |
Look up coal tar in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
References
- ^ Toxicological profile for wood creosote, coal tar creosote, coal tar, coal tar pitch, and coal tar pitch volatiles U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, page 19, September 2002
- ^ http://www.geotimes.org/feb05/NN_mummytar.html
- ^ Dr. Kasem Ajram (1992). The Miracle of Islam Science (2nd Edition ed.). Knowledge House Publishers. ISBN 0-911119-43-4.
- ^ National Psoriasis Foundation, The battle to save coal tar in California, December 3 2001.
- ^ National Psoriasis Foundation: Tar
External links
- Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles by OSHA
- Parking lots create sticky pollution problem by Erica Engelhaupt Environmental Science and Technology
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Chemistry Dictionary. A Dictionary of Chemistry. Sixth Edition. Copyright © Market House Books Ltd, 2008. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Dental Dictionary. Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/ Read more |
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| Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more |
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Mentioned in
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- heavy oil (materials)
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