Salicylic Acid - Other Uses

Other Uses

Although toxic in large quantities, salicylic acid is used as a food preservative and as bactericidal and an antiseptic. For some people with salicylate sensitivity even these small doses can be harmful.

Sodium salicylate is a useful phosphor in the vacuum ultraviolet with nearly flat quantum efficiency for wavelengths between 10 to 100 nm. It fluoresces in the blue at 420 nm. It is easily prepared on a clean surface by spraying a saturated solution of the salt in methanol followed by evaporation.