creosote (redirected from creosotes)

creosote

[krē′əsōt]

a flammable oily liquid with a smoky odor that is used primarily as a wood preservative. It can cause a wide variety of health problems, ranging from cancer and corneal damage to convulsions, dermatitis, and vertigo. Persons who work with treated wood are usually at the greatest risk of exposure. See also phenol poisoning.

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creosote (krēˑ· sōt),

n a colorless to yellowish, oily liquid obtained by distilling wood tar, particularly
Fagus sylvatica; used as wood preservative; harmful to animals because they may develop skin irritation by chewing on wood treated with creosote.

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creosote

a mixture of phenols from wood tar; used externally as an antiseptic and internally in chronic bronchitis as an expectorant. A mixture of the carbonates of various constituents of creosote (creosote carbonate) is used the same as the base.

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creosote-treated timber

treating timber with creosote is a common method of preservation. Use of the timber for housing while it is still wet may cause poisoning especially in young pigs. There may be local burning of the skin, oral, esophageal and gastric erosion, or degeneration of parenchymatous organs.