Resorcinol is used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, acne, and seborrhoeic dermatitis. Additionally, warts, calluses, and corns are treated with it.

Resorcinol works by aiding in the removal of roughened, scaly, or hard skin. Certain of these preparations may only be obtained with a prescription from your physician.

For resorcinol, the following uses should be considered:

Allergies

If you have ever experienced an unusual or adverse reaction to resorcinol or any other medication, let your doctor know. Inform your healthcare provider about any additional allergies you may have, including those to foods, colors, preservatives, or animals. Carefully review the contents listed on the label or container of non-prescription products.

Pediatric

It is not advisable to apply résorcinol over significant parts of an infant’s or child’s body since it may be absorbed through the skin. Furthermore, you should avoid applying resorcinol to wounds as this might result in methemoglobinemia, a blood disorder.

Geriatric

Numerous medications have not been properly tested in elderly individuals. Consequently, it could not be known if they function in younger individuals in precisely the same way. Resorcinol is not anticipated to create different side effects or issues in older individuals than in younger persons, despite the lack of precise data comparing usage of the drug with use in other age groups.

Interactions with Medicines

In some situations, two different medications may be used together even when there is a chance of an interaction, even though some medications should never be used together. In certain instances, your physician might wish to adjust the dosage or suggest taking other safety measures. Any additional prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medication that you use should be disclosed to your healthcare provider.

Interactions with Alcohol, Tobacco, and Food

Since interactions between some medications and food may occur, some medications shouldn’t be taken right before or right after eating particular foods. Interactions between alcohol and tobacco usage and several medications are also possible. Talk to your doctor about using your medication with food, drink, or smoke.

Read: Environmental Fate, Exposure Potential, and Applications of Resorcinol

Mechanism of action

There doesn’t seem to be much information in the literature about the precise mechanisms of action of resorcinol. However, resorcinol’s propensity for protein precipitation appears to be the source of the agent’s usefulness in treating a variety of topical, and dermatological disorders via eliciting antibacterial and keratolytic activities. Resorcinol’s capacity to precipitate cutaneous proteins from the treated skin appears to be the main factor behind its indication for treating acne, dermatitis, or eczema in different topical treatments and peels for skin care.

Side effects of résorcinol

If you have any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, get emergency medical attention: hives; breathing problems; swelling in your lips, tongue, or neck.
When resorcinol is administered correctly to the skin, the risk of major side effects is minimal; nevertheless, if the medicine is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, certain adverse symptoms may manifest. If you have any of the following symptoms, which might indicate that resorcinol has been absorbed via the skin:

• slow heart rate;
• dizziness, drowsiness, or weakness;
• feeling short of breath;
• severe or ongoing headache;
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea; or
• feeling restless or nervous.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild skin irritation;
• skin redness; or
• peeling.

Medications that impact resorcinol

Do not use other medicated skin products unless your doctor has told you to, especially:

• benzoyl peroxide (Oxy 10, Fostex, Clearskin, Benzagel, Benzamycin, BenzaClin, ZoDerm, and many others);
• salicylic acid (Dermarest, Sebucare, StriDex, Inova, Oxy Face Scrub, and many others);
• sulfur (Acnotex, NuOx, Sulfoxyl, Sulfo-Lac, Sulforcin, Fostril, and many others; or
• tretinoin (Renova, Retin-A, Altinac, Tretin-X, and others).

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Resorcinol (or resorcin) is a dihydroxy benzene. It is the 1,3-isomer of benzenediol with the formula C₆H₄(OH)₂. The key component of an adhesive system used in producing tyres and other mechanical items made of rubber reinforced with fibers is resorcinol. Resorcinol-formaldehyde resin-based adhesives or phenol-modified resorcinol-formaldehyde resin-based adhesives meet the requirements for room-temperature curing, structural integrity, and waterproof properties in wood bonding applications. In producing specialized chemicals, such as light screening agents that shield polymers from UV radiation, resorcinol is a crucial chemical intermediary. Resorcinol is used to produce agricultural chemicals, flame retardants, dyestuffs, antioxidants, urethane elastomer chain extenders, explosive primers, and treatments to increase the mechanical and chemical resilience of textiles used in paper machines.

An overview of resorcinol

The structure of the dihydroxybenzene molecule has three isomeric compounds, each with a traditional name. Catechol is the ortho (1,2) isomer that forms clear crystals and is used as a starting material to synthesize synthetic catecholamines, which have important physiological effects as neurotransmitters and hormones (epinephrine, adrenaline, dopamine, and norepinephrine). It is also known by the names catechin, pyrocatechol, and pyrocatechuic acid. The resorcinol, or resorcin, is the meta (1,3) isomer that crystallizes into transparent needles that are utilized to make diazo dyes and plasticizers. It is made by combining fuming sulfuric acid with benzene to sulfonate it, then adding caustic soda to the resultant benzene sulfonic acid.

Resorcinol is a UV absorber found in resins. It is employed in the production of adhesives and fluorescent and leather dyes. Resorcinol formaldehyde resins, which are used to manufacture nylon and rayon, are produced by reacting with formaldehyde. As a pharmaceutical, it is used in conjunction with sulfur and other acne therapies to treat oily skin problems and acne. It is a component of shampoo and sunscreen cosmetics that fights dandruff. In addition, it serves as a chemical intermediary in the manufacture of various organic molecules and medications. Hydroquinone, also referred to as quinol, is the para (1,4) isomer that produces transparent prisms that are employed as a developer and reducer in photography (apart from color film). It is created when benzoquinone is chemically reduced in high amounts. This substance functions as an antioxidant, stabilizer, inhibitor, and intermediary in general. Hydroquinone is widely used as an intermediary in the synthesis of several compounds used in agriculture, dyes, stabilizers, inhibitors, and antioxidants. UV absorbers in resins are made of resorcinol and its derivatives. They are employed in the production of adhesives (resorcinol formaldehyde resins) and fluorescent and leather dyes. As medicines, they are used in conjunction with sulfur and other acne therapies to treat oily skin problems and acne. They are a component of shampoo and sunscreen cosmetics that prevent dandruff.

Production of resorcinol

The production process involves either melting a variety of resins, such as galbanum, asafoetida, etc., with potassium hydroxide or distilling Brazilwood extract. It may be made synthetically by melting phenol-3-sulfonic acid, benzene-1,3-sulfonic acid, or 3-iodophenol with potassium carbonate; it can also be made by nitrous acid reacting with 3-aminophenol or 1,3-diaminobenzene. When potassium hydroxide is fused with several ortho- and para-compounds from the aromatic family, such as the bromophenols and benzene-para-sulfonic acid, resorcinol is also produced.

The synthesis of resorcinol involves sulfonating benzene in a way that encourages disubstitution in the meta position, then fusing it with anhydrous caustic. Resorcinol is the end product, which is refined under controlled circumstances to provide a technical-grade product that is usually 99.8 percent pure. For industries like medicines and cosmetics where ultra-high purity is necessary, INDSPEC also provides a U.S.P. grade of resorcinol that complies with US Pharmacopoeia.

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Environmental fate and exposure potential

Resorcinol may be released into the environment through a variety of waste streams as a result of its manufacture and usage in the rubber industry, tanning, and the production of resins, resin adhesives, chemical intermediates, and colors. Resorcinol can only exist as a vapor in the surrounding environment if it is discharged into the air, as indicated by its vapor pressure of 4.9X10^-4 mm Hg at 25 degrees Celsius. The half-life of the reaction between vapor-phase resorcinol and photochemically generated hydroxyl radicals in the environment is predicted to be 1.9 hours. Although the rate of this reaction is unknown, the vapor-phase reaction of resorcinol with nitrate radicals may also be a significant atmospheric removal mechanism in metropolitan areas at night. Resorcinol is anticipated to have a high mobility when released into soil. A Henry’s Law constant of 9.9X10^-11 atm-cu m/mole is used to indicate that volatilization from damp soil surfaces is not likely to be a significant fate process.

An essential environmental destiny mechanism for resorcinol is anticipated to be biodegradation. In an aerobic screening test, resorcinol’s half-life varied from 0.16 to 0.24 days using activated sludge. In contrast, complete degradation of resorcinol happened in 8 days (as indicated by a 100% UV absorbancy loss) in a mineral salt medium utilizing a silt loam soil inocula. Presumably, resorcinol’s predicted Koc will prevent it from attaching to silt and suspended particles if it is discharged into water. Based on the anticipated Henry’s Law constant of this molecule, volatilization from water surfaces is not considered to be a significant fate process. A BCF value of 2 indicates that there is little chance of bioconcentration in aquatic creatures. Due to a deficiency of hydrolyzable functional groups, hydrolysis is not anticipated to constitute a significant environmental destiny process. Resorcinol exposure at work can happen through skin contact at locations where the substance is generated or used as a chemical intermediary in the production of other compounds. The usage of consumer goods like some hair dyes that can contain this ingredient could expose the general public.

Applications of resorcinol

Resorcinol is a UV absorber found in resins. Resorcinol formaldehyde resins, which are used to make fluorescent and leather dyes and adhesives, are made with it. As a pharmaceutical, it is used in conjunction with sulfur and other acne therapies to treat oily skin problems and acne. It is a component of shampoo and sunscreen cosmetics that fights dandruff. In addition, it serves as a chemical intermediary in the manufacture of various organic molecules and medications. One of the parent substances of topical keratolytic agents is résorcinol.

Medical applications

It is an antiseptic and disinfectant used topically, and it is used 5–10% in ointments to treat chronic skin conditions such as hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, and sub-acute eczema. It can be found in concentrations of 2% or less in over-the-counter topical acne treatments and at greater concentrations in prescription therapies. For erythematous eczema, resorcinol solutions that are weak and watery (25 to 35 g/kg) work well to relieve itching. Spraying a 2% solution is effective in treating whooping cough and hay fever. 0.6 mL of the 2% solution has been administered intravenously for the latter ailment. It can be added to shampoo or sunscreen cosmetics as an anti-dandruff ingredient. Its analgesic and hemostatic properties have led to its use in the treatment of stomach ulcers at dosages ranging from 125 to 250 mg in tablet form. It is poisonous in high dosages, producing convulsions, perspiration, salivation, deafness, and giddiness. Additionally, it is incorporated into certain medicated soaps. The compound monoacetylresorcinol, C6H4(OH)(O-COCH3), is marketed as euresol. One of the active components of medications like Resinol, Vagisil, and Clearasil is resorcinol.

Chemical applications

Resorcinol is also used as a chemical intermediate for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and other organic compounds. It is used in the production of diazo dyes and plasticizers and as a UV absorber in resins. An emerging use of resorcinol is as a template molecule in supramolecular chemistry. The -OH groups on resorcinol form hydrogen bonds to target molecules, holding them in the proper orientation for a reaction. Many such reactions can be carried out in the solid state, thereby reducing or eliminating the use of solvents that may be harmful to the environment. Resorcinol is an analytical reagent for the qualitative determination of ketoses (Seliwanoff’s test). Resorcinol is the starting material for resorcinarene molecules and the initiating explosive lead styphnate. Resorcinol reacts with formaldehyde to form a thermoset resin which can form the basis of an aerogel. Resorcinol reacts with formaldehyde to form a thermoset resin which can form the basis of an aerogel.

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Road dust is an earthen material or dirt that is transported by air, mainly by the friction of tires moving on unpaved dirt roads and dust-covered paved roads.

Urban areas have high population density and intensive anthropogenic activities, which have a considerable influence on human health. Heavy metals are introduced into the environment through domestic waste, the chemical industry, and transportation.

Roadside soil serves as a stockpile for pollution originating directly from vehicle sources. It could easily come into contact with pedestrians and people residing within the vicinity of the roads.

A variety of pollutants are present in road dust soils, including organic contaminants, various metals such as Pb, As, Zn, Ba, Cu, Sb, Mn, V, Cr, Ni Co, Cd, Pt, Pd, Rh, etc. Cu, Zn, and Cd contaminate the soil samples as they are integral parts of car components. The level of lead level in the environment is continuously increasing because of its use in leaded gasoline, in addition to its applications in lead wheel weights and yellow road paint. A major source of Cu, Cd, Ni, Sb, Cr, and Zn is the abrasion of brake lines.  Corrosion of cars and chrome plating of cars are believed to be sources of Ni and Cr in street dust.

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Emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial activities, the widespread use of pigments and pesticides, and other human activities reported in recent years are considered sources of arsenic in soil. Gasoline was reported to contain 30–120 ng/g of As. Coal burning, municipal solid waste incineration, the electronic, paper, and pharmaceutical industries were identified as the major sources of anthropogenic emissions of Hg. It has also been reported that several kinds of gasoline contain 0.2–3.3 ng/g of Hg.

Heavy metals are non-biodegradable, and they cause hazardous effects on biological systems, humans, soil biota, animals, and plants. As they are non-biodegradable, they can persist in soil for decades or even centuries.

The investigation of road dust for heavy metals is important for the following two main reasons.

• Firstly, street dust is freely inhaled by those traversing the streets and those residing within the vicinity of the streets. The more the dust on such streets becomes contaminated with heavy metals, the more people are exposed to the health hazards associated with such metals.
•  Secondly, when it rains, the dust usually gets discharged into the adjoining aquatic and marine environments, and thus it may seriously pollute the water and concentrate in the surface sediments of the coastal area. This might prove toxic to marine life, and at worst it may contaminate fish or shellfish, which could have adverse direct impacts on the health of individuals that consume seafood.

Thus, there is a need to regulate heavy metals and institute countermeasures against heavy metal pollution.

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Uses of molybdenum

Molybdenum is an important element nutritionally, industrially, environmentally and toxicologically. It is used in numerous industrial processes. In metallurgy it is used as an alloying agent in steel and cast iron. It is also used in manufacturing high temperature alloys and steels tools .Molybdenum also used in formation of pigments that are used in printing inks. It finds its applications in making paints and ceramics. In some cases it is also used as catalyst. Molybdenum used in manufacturing of certain parts of missile and aircraft. It also finds its applications in reactor vessels, cements, die-casting copper base alloys and for specific batteries. Molybdenum also used as lubricant in industries. In agriculture Molybdenum is used as fertilizer. Molybdenum is used in the manufacture of special steels, in electrical contacts, spark plugs, X-ray tubes, filaments, screens and grids for radio valves, and in the production of tungsten, glass-to-metal seals, non-ferrous alloys and pigments. Molybdenum disulfide has unique properties as a lubricant additive. Molybdenum compounds are used in agriculture either for the direct treatment of seeds or in the formulation of fertilizers to prevent molybdenum deficiency. Molybdenum is valuable as a catalyst in the refining of petroleum.

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Effects on human health

In general, when heavy metal are present in high concentrations in the environment result in health hazards such as adversely affecting the nervous, blood forming, cardiovascular, renal and reproductive systems. Other includes reduced intelligence, attention deficit and behavioral abnormality, as well as its contribution to cardiovascular disease in adults. In recent years, there is a growing concern for the potential contribution of ingested dust to metal toxicity in humans. Some trace metals (such as Cu and Zn) at small amounts are harmless, but some (mainly Pb, As, Hg and Cd) even at extremely low concentrations are toxic and are potential cofactors, initiators or promoters in many diseases and cancer. Young children are more likely to ingest significant quantities of dust than adults because of the behavior of mouthing non-food objects and repetitive hand/finger sucking. Secondly, children have a much higher absorption rate of heavy metals from digestion system and higher hemoglobin sensitivity.

Read: Molybdenum in animals and plants

For human beings, Mo is required 25 µg/day and an intake of 150 µg/kg body weight intake may be toxic. In serum and urine high levels of uric acid is due to long term exposure to excess of molybdenum. It may result in certain diseases like anaemia, slow rate of growth, loss of appetite and diarrhea. In Russia a gout like disease has recently known tin a o emerge in individuals living in high molybdenum area. Which tissues of human body exactly and appropriately reflect nutritional status or ultimately toxic exposure of molybdenum is still not known. 1 µg/L of Mo has been reported in human serum. In urine its average concentration was found to be 42.5 µg/L. Its concentration in urine is independent of intake of beverages or food consumption. However, it has been found to have a positive relationship with butter.

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Molybdenum is an essential trace element that is important for both animals and plants and that is also essential for humans. Molybdenum is an important constituent of xanthine oxidase and other redox enzymes in animals. Complexes of molybdenum with thiosemicarbazone and semicarbazone ligands have been found to be active against various types of tumors.

In plants, at the start of protein synthesis, it is essential for the fixation of nitrogen present in the atmosphere. It is an important constituent of certain enzymes that are present in plants and thus plays an important role in the metabolism of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur.  Thus, molybdenum plays an important role in crop development and nitrogen metabolism through the activation of nitrate reductase enzymes and nitrogenase enzymes. For healthy plant growth, routine control of Mo is therefore highly recommended.

Excess molybdenum emanating from industrial effluents may cause hazardous effects on animals. The disease molybdenosis, found in domestic animals, particularly bovine species, occurs due to a high dietary intake of molybdenum. A high concentration of molybdenum is also harmful for ruminants because it decreases copper adsorption by the liver. Severe gastrointestinal irritation occurs due to molybdenum poisoning and eventually it results in death due to cardiac failure in animals. High intake of molybdenum results in bone deformation teeth vulnerable and malfunctioning in fats and protein metabolism.

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When the concentration of molybdenum is higher than 5µg/g , it becomes toxic for most animals. Molybdenum is also known as a biological antagonist. It is added in trace amounts to fertilizers to start and enhance plant growth. Low levels of molybdenum in plants result in a decrease in the number of flowering plants. It also causes a hindrance in the formation and development of reproductive organs, like pollen. In acidic soil, molybdenum is present in an immobile state, causing a deficiency of molybdenum in plants growing in these conditions. In the soil, molybdenum is mainly present in oxyanion form, which is found chemisorbed on iron oxide, non-crystalline aluminosilicates, organic matter, and sometimes silicate clays. It forms soluble thiomolybdates, e.g., that are easily accessible in terms of biodegradation under reducing conditions. In soil solutions, the predominant dissolved species of molybdenum is the molybdate anion. Its protonation occurs at low pH. Thus, the bioavailability of molybdenum is totally dependent on the presence of its anionic species. In addition, aluminum and iron oxides are used for the determination of the sorption of molybdate into soils. The highest values of sorption are obtained when the pH is higher than 4.