Chloroxylenol
Encyclopedia
Chloroxylenol is an antimicrobial chemical compound
used to control bacteria, algae, and fungi in adhesives, emulsions, paints, and wash tanks. It is also commonly used in antibacterial soap
s such as Dettol
and ointments, such as the now discontinued Medicated Vaseline
. Studies have shown a low anti microbial activity which is enhanced by additives. Its antibacterial action is due to disruption of cell membrane
potentials.
Chloroxylenol is not significantly toxic to human
s and other mammal
s, is practically non-toxic to birds, moderately toxic to freshwater invertebrates and highly toxic to fish
. It is a mild skin
irritant
and may trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. Cross sensitivity with chlorocresol
is common.
Chemical compound
A chemical compound is a pure chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemical elements that can be separated into simpler substances by chemical reactions. Chemical compounds have a unique and defined chemical structure; they consist of a fixed ratio of atoms that are held together...
used to control bacteria, algae, and fungi in adhesives, emulsions, paints, and wash tanks. It is also commonly used in antibacterial soap
Antibacterial soap
Antibacterial soap is any cleaning product to which active antibacterial ingredients have been added. These chemicals kill bacteria and microbes, but are no more effective at deactivating viruses than any other kind of soap or detergent, and they also kill nonpathogenic bacteria.-Ingredients:Most...
s such as Dettol
Dettol
Dettol is the trade name for a line of liquid and solid antiseptic cleansing products manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser.It is ranked as the 48th most trust brand in India by The Brand Trust Report 2011...
and ointments, such as the now discontinued Medicated Vaseline
Vaseline
Vaseline is a brand of petroleum jelly based products owned by Anglo-Dutch company Unilever. Products include plain petroleum jelly and a selection of skin creams, soaps, lotions, cleansers, deodorants and personal lubricants....
. Studies have shown a low anti microbial activity which is enhanced by additives. Its antibacterial action is due to disruption of cell membrane
Cell membrane
The cell membrane or plasma membrane is a biological membrane that separates the interior of all cells from the outside environment. The cell membrane is selectively permeable to ions and organic molecules and controls the movement of substances in and out of cells. It basically protects the cell...
potentials.
Chloroxylenol is not significantly toxic to human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
s and other mammal
Mammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
s, is practically non-toxic to birds, moderately toxic to freshwater invertebrates and highly toxic to fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
. It is a mild skin
Skin
-Dermis:The dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. The dermis is tightly connected to the epidermis by a basement membrane. It also harbors many Mechanoreceptors that provide the sense of touch and heat...
irritant
Irritation
Irritation or exacerbation, in biology and physiology, is a state of inflammation or painful reaction to allergy or cell-lining damage. A stimulus or agent which induces the state of irritation is an irritant...
and may trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. Cross sensitivity with chlorocresol
Chlorocresol
Chlorocresol may refer to either of two chemical compounds:* 2-Chloro-m-cresol* p-Chlorocresol...
is common.