Dettol

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Chemical structure of chloroxylenol

Dettol (also called parachlorometaxylenol, or PCMX) is the name of a commercial liquid antiseptic belonging to a product line of household products manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser.

The key ingredient which defines its unique antiseptic property is an aromatic chemical compound known as chloroxylenol (C₈H₉ClO). This makes up 4.8% of Dettol's total mixture, with the rest composed of pine oil, isopropanol, castor oil soap, caramel, and water. Because several of the ingredients are insoluble in water, Dettol produces a white emulsion of oil droplets when diluted during use. Apart from its low toxicity and low metal corrosivity, it is also relatively cheap compared to other disinfectants.^{[citation needed]}

Dettol can also be used to treat acne in small quantities.^[1] Its typical application is a remedy for boils (skin abscess).^{[citation needed]}

Like other household cleaners, Dettol is poisonous and should not be ingested. In an extreme case, a forty-two-year-old English man died from Dettol overexposure in May 2007.^[2].

Dettol is also commonly used in Queensland, Australia, to kill feral Cane Toads (Bufo marinus), also known as the Giant Neotropical Toad or Marine Toad. Toads may be sprayed with a solution of Dettol or dabbed with the liquid.^{[citation needed]} The substance is rapidly absorbed through the toad's skin causing sudden death as a result of toxic shock.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Criticism

A dettol advert had to be withdrawn because of the facts stated could not be proven. This advert stated that chopping boards harbour 50 times more bacteria than toilet seats. The commercial also exaggerated the dangers posed by the bacteria. The firm behind the commercial could not stand up its claims and therefore were not allowed to show the advert again.^{[citation needed]}