Chlorsalol

/ˈklɔːrsæloʊl/ noun

Definition

A disinfectant compound formerly used in soaps and antiseptic products to kill bacteria.

Etymology

From chloro- (chlorine) + salol (a phenolic compound), named for its antimicrobial chlorine content combined with salicylate chemistry popular in early 20th-century medicine.

Kelly Says

Chlorsalol was once a star ingredient in antibacterial soaps, but it's largely been phased out because researchers discovered it wasn't actually better at preventing infection than regular soap and water—a reminder that older doesn't always mean better!

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