Creolin is a generic name for disinfectants whose composition varies according to origin. One of its uses is as a disinfectant. It is extracted from the dry distillation of wood. The residue remaining in the autoclave vessel is a dark, syrupy mass called creosote, which is composed mainly of phenolic acid and cresylic acid. The original composition of creolin was this creosote tar oil, caustic soda, soaps, and very little water. It is of low technology and a very powerful disinfectant.
History
The article on Newland, Kingston upon Hull, mentions that Pearsons was established by William Edward Pearson in 1880. In Italy the company that owns the brand Creolin, Guglielmo Pearson S.r.l. of Genoa Italy, is the only manufacturer of the disinfectant. Internationally, creolin also corresponds to the trade name of other disinfectant products for example by Mark Cansick Co, in addition to the same William Pearson (chemicals).
From 1888 to date the creolin has undergone several changes. The original composition was creosote, caustic soda, soaps, and very little water. Its use was multiple: in the field of medicine (specifically as a hospital grade disinfectant) in the animal husbandry and veterinary sector. In the field of motor restoration works, creolin (and the vapors of the same) is used to return to the original condition of the casting of oil-stained aluminum parts.
By 1888, creolin 1 percent strength was used for the wound dressing of burns.
In 1889, Professor Georges Dujardin-Beaumetz of Paris France published in The Therapeutic Gazette an essay entitled "Prophylactic Hygiene Lecture V.- On Disinfectants":
In 1897, an import agent in Rio de Janeiro was advertising "Creolin-Pearson" as "The best desinfectant for vessels. Recommended for daily use especially during epidemics."
Such was its power as a hospital disinfectant that by 1901, American nurses were urged it use in Methods of Disinfection Recommended by the Department of Health of the City of New York.
In 1915, Parcher's Drug Store was advertising creolin alongside such staples as Pyrox, Lime and Sulphur, Hellebore, Paris Green, Kerso, Blue Vitriol, Arsenate of Lead, Carbonal, Pine Tar, Sheep Dip, Chloride Lime, Rosin, Bi-Sulphide Carbon, Copperas, Washing Fluid, Sulpho Napthol, Sprayers, Cow Ease, Roach Powder, Moth Balls, and Nyals Family Remedies.
In the early 1930s creolin production from peat tar began in Gus-Khrustalny, Vladimir Oblast. From 1942, "due to urgent necessity of disinfectants for the needs of the Eastern Front of WW2", creolin production was expanded to hundreds of tons per annum.
The Plough company acquired the US Creolin Company from Merck & Co. in September 1958.
In 2015, Iranian academics at Mazandaran University performed a Nosocomial infections study on the "Efficiency of some disinfectants (Cidex, Deconex, and Creolin) against E.coli".
Composition
Creolin is a natural disinfectant that is extracted from the dry distillation of wood. This procedure consists of distilling the wood in large autoclaves. From the vapors that emanate from this distillation extracts the vegetable aguarrás also known as essence of turpentine. The residue remaining in the autoclave vessel is a dark, syrupy mass called creosote. It is composed mainly of phenol (phenolic acid) and cresol (cresylic acid). It is a very powerful disinfectant, of natural origin, and is used to make different compounds intended for cleaning and disinfection.
The main active ingredient are phenols (26%), coal tar neutral oils (51%), soaps (13%) and water (10%) . The main toxicity of this product is that of phenols, which are non-specific cellular toxins causing damage to the gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal and neurological systems.
Cresylic Acid is a composition of a number of mixtures of several acids that are derived from petroleum and coal tar, boiled above 204 °C, contain varying amounts of cresols and other phenols, and are used in resins, disinfectants, solvents, preservatives, wood preservatives and electrical insulation.
o-Cresol is used as a solvent, disinfectant, and chemical intermediate.
m-Cresol is used to produce certain herbicides, as a precursor to the pyrethroid insecticides, to produce antioxidants, and to manufacture the explosive, 2,4,6-nitro-m-cresol.
p-Cresol is used largely in the formulation of antioxidants and in the fragrance and dye industries.
The EPA has classified o-cresol, m-cresol, and p-cresol as Group C: possible human carcinogens.