Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
Carbo-cort; Coal tar extract; Coal tar ointment; Coal tar solution USP; Coal tars; Coke-oven tar; Coking tar; Crude coal tar; Estar (skin treatment); Impervotar; KC 261; Lavatar; Picis carbonis; Pixalbol; Polytar bath; RT 7 (coal tar); Tar, coal; Tar, coking; Tarcron 180; Tarcron 180L; Tarcron 230; Zetar; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Description
Brownish to black, thick liquid/semisolid substance with naphthalene-like odor; [HSDB] 0-2% benzene, toluene, & xylene; 16-18% phenols, cresols, & naphthalene; 8-10% naphthalene derivatives; 16-20% anthracene oils; and 50% pitch; [CHEMINFO MSDS]
Sources/Uses
Used in surface coatings and sealants (walls, insulation, pipes, roofs, and roads); Used to produce plastics, solvents, dyes, and drugs for psoriasis; Used as a fuel in open hearth furnaces in the steel industry; [HSDB]
Comments
May cause first degree burns after short exposure and second degree burns after longer contact; [CHRIS] NIOSH considers coal tar, coal tar pitch, and creosote to be coal tar products. Wood creosote (8021-39-4) is derived from the distillation of beechwood tar; it is yellow, transparent, and chemically distinct from coal tar creosote. [ATSDR ToxProfiles] Chronic exposure to coal tar and its vapors is associated with an increased risk for cancer of the lungs, kidneys, skin, and bladder. Coal tar is a potential photosensitizer. [CHEMINFO MSDS] Coal tar creosote (8001-58-9) and Coal tar pitch volatiles 65996-93-2) are covered separately. Coal-tar pitch is classified as 1 (IARC) and K (NTP); [Guide to Occupational Exposure Values] See "Coal-tar distillation."
Explanatory Notes
For occupational exposure limits, see "Coal tar pitch volatiles."
NFPA
high ambient temp required
Dermatotoxin
PICD (photoirritant contact dermatitis)
IARC Carcinogen
Established
NTP Carcinogen
Human carcinogen
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: