A class of carbonaceous chemicals formed by the distillation of various tars and pyrolysis of wood or fossil fuel. They are used industrially as antiseptics and preservatives. Large quantities of creosote can be toxic and exposure can cause a wide variety of issues from skin irritation to death depending on the route and level (concentration and duration) of exposure. Creosote buildup in domestic heating systems can cause chimney fires.

A greasy substance with a smoky odor and burned taste created by high temperature treatment of BEECH and other WOOD; COAL TAR; or resin of the CREOSOTE BUSH. It contains CRESOLS and POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS which are CARCINOGENS. It has been widely used as wood preservative and in PESTICIDES and had former use medicinally in DISINFECTANTS; LAXATIVES; and DERMATOLOGIC AGENTS.