Dettol
Dettol is the trade name for a line of hygiene products manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser.
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Composition and chemistry [edit]
Dettol liquid antiseptic and disinfectant is normally light yellow in colour; but, as several of the ingredients in Dettol antiseptic are insoluble in water, it produces a white-coloured milky emulsion of oil droplets when diluted with water during use, exhibiting the ouzo effect.
The active ingredient in Dettol that confers its antiseptic property is chloroxylenol (C8H9ClO), an aromatic chemical compound. Chloroxylenol comprises 4.8% of Dettol's total mixture,[1] with the rest composed of pine oil, isopropanol, castor oil soap, caramel and water.
Usage [edit]
When diluted, Dettol may be used to clean cuts, wounds, etc.
Controversial usage [edit]
In Australia, Dettol spray has been shown to be lethal to cane toads, an invasive species that was introduced from Hawaii due to a poor outlook and bad judgment in 1935 for cane beetle control. Spraying the disinfectant at close range has been shown to cause fast-acting death. It is not known if the toxic effects are disintegrated or may harm other Australian flora and fauna.
Due to concerns over potential harm to other Australian wildlife species, the use of Dettol as pest control was banned in Western Australia by the Department of Environment and Conservation in 2011.[2]
Toxicity [edit]
Humans [edit]
As with other manufactured household cleaners, Dettol has the potential for causing lethal toxicity. It is poisonous when ingested, and even when it is unintentionally inhaled.
In a case report, a 42-year-old British man died from Dettol overexposure in May 2007. The autopsy was not able to conclude whether the lethal exposure to Dettol was via ingestion or inhalation.[3]
Other animals [edit]
The Dettol Cleansing Floor Wipes disposable wipes product contain benzalkonium chloride, which is highly toxic to fish.
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ "Product Safety Data Sheet". Reckitt Benkiser. 23 June 2006. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
- ^ Narelle Towie (May 23, 2009). "Cane toad poison banned". Perth Now. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
- ^ Lester Haines (29 May 2007). "'Dettol Man' cleans himself to death". The Register. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
External links [edit]
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