Wofasept

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Wofasept was a disinfectant for public building and vehicle cleaning in the GDR .

A product of the same name for instrument disinfection is currently on the German market.

Chemical composition

The product contained the microbicides 4-chloro- m -cresol and chloroprene . A weaker cleaning agent for private households was produced in a slightly modified composition.

Wofasept before the turnaround

The chemical combine Bitterfeld (until 1969: Farbenfabrik Wolfen from Wolfen ) produced Wofasept in very large quantities. The manufacturer's name Wo lfen Fa rben is in the product ; Bitterfeld products usually started with "BI", like the insecticide BI58 . It is a partly clear, partly yellowish-brown liquid. The disinfectant was provided in large 25l-50l canisters. However, there were also phases of insufficient delivery, e. B. in hospitals. It was used everywhere in public spaces and also on the Deutsche Reichsbahn . This is how Western Europeans got to know the smell in cross-border interzonal traffic. The odor, which is often confused with Hylotox 59, which also contains PCP and is classified as carcinogenic , persisted for a long time, especially when wooden floors or other porous surfaces absorbed parts of the liquid. Another cause of the strong odor nuisance was the saturation of ceiling stones with a sticky substance containing cresol . In extreme cases, buildings or rooms with a strong smell can still be found in the ex-GDR in 2018, e.g. B. on the top floor of the Naturfreundehaus in Saxon Switzerland.

Because of its widespread use within the GDR, the term "GDR smell" was sometimes used. He was considered aggressive, dominant and unmistakable.

Wofasept soap jelly was used for surgical hand disinfection .

Another disinfectant was the formaldehyde-containing Fesiaform , "natural" also extremely strong smelling.

Wofasept today

In the meantime, the name Wofasept is used by the company "Kesla-Hygiene" in the designation of different substance mixtures (e.g. Wofasept, Wofasept FL, Wofasept AHA, ...). The concentrate offered by Kesla for disinfecting instruments and surfaces called Wofasept contains 5 g chlorocresol , 2 g chlorine furnace, 5–15% anionic surfactants , water-soluble solvents , fragrances and auxiliary substances per 100 ml . It is diluted with 98-99% water and is effective against bacteria (except mycobacteria and spore-forming agents) and fungi (yeasts). The agent is in the disinfectant list of the VAH. In the advertising it says: "It permanently removes unpleasant smells and leaves behind an unmistakable hygienic scent". The former strong smell has been replaced by fragrances . Kesla owns the rights to the registered trademark ®.

safety instructions

Hazardous substances in the current Wofasept are chlorocresol, Clorofen, ethanol and saponified sulfonated paraffin . According to the current classification, Wofasept causes skin irritation and serious eye damage and can cause allergic reactions. Wofasept is permanently harmful to aquatic organisms. Inhalation of Wofasept in the form of gas, mist, vapor or aerosol should be avoided. Wash the skin thoroughly after contact. A release into the environment is to be avoided.

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Dieter E. Zimmer : The smell of the GDR. (PDF, 60 KB) In: Die ZEIT , Modernes Leben, No. 43, “A chemical riddle - obituary for a lost fragrance”. October 19, 1990, accessed February 15, 2013 .
  2. ↑ cf. Joachim Link: How a state parliament learned to walk , Böhlau, Cologne 2010, p. 80.
  3. ↑ Peter Braun: Phenols and Cresols. Working Group of Ecological Research Institutes (AGÖF), August 2003, accessed on February 15, 2013 .
  4. ↑ Herbert Junghanns (Ed.): Surgeons Directory: Biography and Bibliography , 6th edition, Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg 2013, p. 343.
  5. ↑ Kesla AG »Products: Kesla AG» Products , accessed on November 6, 2016.
  6. ↑ Kesla: Product Information WOFASEPT , accessed on November 6, 2016.
  7. ↑ Safety data sheet for Wofasept instrument disinfection ( Memento of August 5, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF), pp. 1–2. Last revision May 14, 2014.
  8. ↑ Safety data sheet for Wofasept ( Memento from November 6, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF), pp. 1–2. Last revision May 8, 2014.
  9. ↑ Georg Berencsi, Wolfgang Weuffen: Toxic and allergic side effects of antiseptics. Urban & Fischer in Elsev, 1986. p. 55.