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Tar remover is a chemical product used to get rid of tar, a dark oily material. This article discusses the health problems that may occur if you breathe in or touch tar remover.
This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Poisonous IngredientTar remover contains organic compounds called hydrocarbons. They include:
- Benzene
- Dichloromethane
- Light aromatic naphtha
- Methane chloride
- Toluene
- Xylene
Various tar removal products
Symptoms- Airways and lungs
- Breathing difficulty
- Throat swelling
- Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- Severe pain or burning in the throat, nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
- Vision loss
- Heart and blood
- Collapse
- Low blood pressure
- Intestinal tract
- Abdominal pain - severe
- Blood in the stools
- Burns of the esophagus (food pipe)
- Nausea
- Vomiting (may be bloody)
- Nervous system
- Convulsions
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Feeling of being drunk (euphoria)
- Headache
- Loss of alertness (unconsciousness)
- Seizures
- Staggering
- Weakness
- Skin
- Burns
- Irritation
- Necrosis (holes) in the skin or underlying tissues
Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional. Seek immediate medical help.
If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. Do NOT give water or milk if the patient is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.
If the person breathed in the poison, immediately move him or her to fresh air.
Before Calling EmergencyDetermine the following information:
- The patient's age, weight, and condition
- The name of the product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
- The time it was swallowed
- The amount swallowed
The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.
This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.
See: Poison control center - emergency number
What to expect at the emergency roomThe health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:
- Breathing tube
- Bronchoscopy - camera down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs
- Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach
- Fluids through a vein (IV)
- Irrigation (washing of the skin), perhaps every few hours for several days
- Oxygen
- Surgical removal of burned skin (skin debridement)
- Tube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)
How well a patient does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment was received. The faster a patient gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery.
Damage can continue to occur for several weeks after the tar remover was swallowed. Death may occur as long as a month later.
ReferencesMirkin DB. Benzene and related aromatic hydrocarbons. In: Shannon MW, Borron SW, Burns MJ, eds. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 94.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 02/28/2012
Eric Perez, MD, St. Luke's / Roosevelt Hospital Center, NY, NY, and Pegasus Emergency Group (Meadowlands and Hunterdon Medical Centers), NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
What else can I help you with?
How can you remove tar from the hood of your car?
mineral spirits will do it you can get tar remover at an auto accessories store
How cigarettes cause cancer?
there is tar and rat poisoning in them
The best tar remover is?
A commercially available tar remover specifically designed for vehicle surfaces is usually the best option. Look for products that are safe for your car's paint and finish, and always follow the manufacturer's instructions for best results.
What will dissolve tar?
Tar can be dissolved using solvents such as mineral spirits, kerosene, or commercial tar remover products. It is important to follow safety precautions and use these solvents in a well-ventilated area.
How do you remove tree sap from a convertible top?
Goof off, or some bug and tar remover will release it.
How do you get tar paper residue off a wood floor?
sometimes hot water will work or a wallpaper remover steamer.
How do you get tar off of a cotton shirt?
You can try applying a small amount of dish soap or rubbing alcohol directly onto the tar stain and then gently rubbing the fabric together to loosen the tar. After that, wash the shirt as you normally would. If the tar stain persists, you can use a commercial stain remover or take it to a professional cleaner.
How do you remove a lot of tar from the inside of my dryer?
It is just a painted metal, or bare metal surface so get a bottle of tar remover from the auto parts store like you would use on a car and rub away.
How do you get the tar off of the skateboard?
To remove tar from a skateboard, start by applying a small amount of rubbing alcohol or a specialized adhesive remover to a cloth. Gently rub the affected area until the tar begins to break down. For stubborn spots, you can use a plastic scraper to lift off the tar, being careful not to damage the skateboard's surface. Finally, clean the area with soap and water to remove any residue.
What can you use to remove adhesive from car paint?
A good bug and tar remover should work fine Vegetable oil or WD40 work just fine for removing adhesives.
How do you remove tar like substance from your iron?
Acetone (womens nail polish remover) is fairly good, mineral spirits is better and xylene or gasoline or diesel are very good.
How do you get tar off denim pants?
To remove tar from denim pants, you can place the affected area in the freezer to harden the tar, then scrape it off with a blunt tool like a butter knife. Next, apply a stain remover or a mix of dish soap and warm water to the spot, and launder the pants as usual. Repeat if necessary until the tar is fully removed.
