What it is
A dark viscous by-product of coal carbonisation containing hundreds of aromatic compounds including PAHs and benzene.
What it does
Active ingredient in some dandruff, psoriasis, and eczema treatments.
Why it’s a concern
Classified by IARC as Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans) due to occupational exposure data linking it to skin and lung cancer. Consumer therapeutic products are restricted to low concentrations (0.5 to 5%), but EU has banned high-concentration coal tar in cosmetics.
Also known as
coal tar solutioncoal tar distillate
CAS numbers
8007-45-2
Commonly found in
dandruff shampoopsoriasis ointment
Safer alternatives
- zinc pyrithione shampoo
- salicylic acid treatments
- ketoconazole
Sources
- IARC Monograph Volume 100F