Chances are there are elements of coal tar in the room right now. As the residue of the distillation of coal to produce coke, coal tar is a thick black liquid the consistency of a thick pudding. As an extra product of the cause of action (COA) process that results in the production of coke, coal tar is a versatile product in its own right. There are actually quite a few uses for this viscous liquid, ranging from building and home repair all the way to medical treatments. Here are some examples of the way coal tar is currently used.

When it comes to building projects, this coal by-product can be used for roofing jobs, coal tar provides a nice sealant underneath shingles. It is also an ideal way to seal pitches in the roof, providing a water tight seal for all angles of the roof line. In addition to the sealing agents, coal tar also works as an insulating agent, working with the wall insulation to help maintain a comfortable temperature inside the building, regardless of the outside weather. There are also a number of exterior paints that utilize coal tar in their finished product. The substance provides an excellent sealed surface once it dries in place; the paint is much less likely to chip and peel over the years with a small amount of coal tar included in the mix.

Along with helping to keep your home well insulated and waterproofed, coal tar can also help to keep your space warm. Sometimes referred to as town gas, coal tar can be used with some boilers to create heat that can then be directed to the duct system that runs throughout your home. The end result is a warm space that lacks the distracting scent of many heating liquids. In fact, coal tar can leave behind a pleasing scent, owing to the aromatic hydrocarbons that are part of the product itself.

Another use of coal tar has to do with fabric production. In order to create fabrics that will hold up to constant sunlight exposure and retain their color, coal tar is added to the dye treatments that are administered to the fabrics. For persons who own draperies that are guaranteed to not fade in sunlight, chances are that coal tar was used to treat the panels. In like manner, coal tar may be used to treat materials intended for use as furniture and car upholstery.

Medical applications of coal tar have been around for quite some time. One common use is in soaps and shampoos that are intended to deal with head and body lice. Many shampoos that are formulated specifically to combat dandruff and psoriasis will contain traces of coal tar. There are those that recommend the use of a coal tar shampoo to treat sores on any portion of the skin, citing the folk tale that coal tar has qualities that can help the skin repair itself. Medical compounds containing coal tar are available over the counter and are usually not very expensive.

While there is some concern that coal tar contains trace levels of carcinogenic elements, there are no immediate plans to remove products containing coal tar from the market. At present, organizations such as the National Psoriasis Foundation promote coal tar products as being a safe treatment for psoriasis and similar scalp conditions.