o-Kresol

OccurrenceReported in Acacial farnesiana, ylang-ylang oil (probably as p-cresyl acetate), jasmine absolute, orange oil from leaves, the essence from flowers of Lilium candidum, anise seed oil, the essence of Artemisia santolinoflia, and some sea algae. Also reported found in asparagus, peppermint oil, cheddar cheese, provolone cheese, butter, milk, lean fish, boiled egg, smoked pork, rum, Scotch whiskey, red wine, white wine, coffee and mango.Reported found in cinnamon, coffee, Oriental tobacco, rum, sherry, tea, tomato and whiskey.

Verwendeno-Cresol is used as a disinfectant and solvent. Lysol disinfectant is a 50% (v/v) mixed-cresol isomer in a soap emulsion formed on mixing with water. Besides disinfection products at solutions of 1–5%, the cresols are used as degreasing compounds, paintbrush cleaners, and additives in lubricating oils. Cresols were previously widely used for disinfection of poultry houses, but this use was discontinued because of their toxicity; they cause respiratory problems and abdominal edema in young chicks. o-Cresol has been used in synthetic resins, explosives, petroleum, photographic, paint, and agricultural industries.