What is Creosote?

Creosote refers to a group of products, including wood creosote, coal tar creosote, coal tar, coal tar pitch, and coal tar pitch vapours. These are made by heating wood (like beech), coal, or resin from the creosote bush at high temperatures.

• Wood creosote is a yellowish, greasy liquid with a smoky smell and a sharp, burnt taste. It can dissolve in water more easily than other types.
• Coal tar creosote is the most common type found in workplaces. It’s a thick, oily liquid that ranges from amber to black in colour. It’s flammable and doesn’t mix well with water.
• Coal tar and coal tar pitch are by-products from heating coal to make coke or natural gas. They are usually thick, black, or dark brown with a smoky or strong smell.
• When coal tar pitch is heated, chemicals can be released into the air, known as coal tar pitch vapours.

What is Creosote used for?

• Wood creosote used to be a common disinfectant, laxative, and cough treatment, but today, it's rarely used in the U.S. However, it’s still available as an herbal remedy in Japan, where it’s used as a laxative and to treat coughs.
• Coal tar creosote is widely used in the U.S. to preserve wood. It is also a restricted pesticide and can be found in some skin treatments for conditions like psoriasis. Since it's used so often for wood preservation, coal tar creosote is the form most commonly found in hazardous waste sites and landfills.
• Coal tar, coal tar pitch, and coal tar pitch vapours are used in industries like road paving, roofing, aluminium smelting, and coke production.

Sources & Routes of Exposure

Source of Exposure

• General Population: Most people are exposed to creosote at very low levels. Potential exposure can come from contact with creosote-treated wood, burning creosote-treated lumber, or drinking contaminated water. Creosote may also be found in some shampoos and ointments used to treat skin conditions like dandruff and psoriasis, and in herbal supplements or teas made from the creosote bush.
• Occupational Exposure: Workers in industries like wood preservation, road paving, rubber and tyre production, aluminium and steel manufacturing, and coke production are more likely to come into contact with creosote, especially coal tar creosote and coal tar pitch.

Routes of Exposure

Inhalation: Breathing in creosote is a minor risk for most people, but it’s a major concern for workers in industries where creosote is used.

Oral: The main way the general public might be exposed to creosote is through ingestion, such as drinking contaminated water or using certain herbal remedies.

Dermal (skin contact): Both the general population and workers can be exposed to creosote through skin contact, which is a major route of exposure.

Health Effects

Acute Effect

In rare cases of accidental poisoning, usually due to pesticide use, creosote can be deadly. In children, swallowing just 1-2 grams can be fatal, while in adults, about 7 grams can cause death. Symptoms of poisoning may include excessive saliva, vomiting, breathing problems, dizziness, headaches, and other serious effects on the body such as liver and kidney damage. Creosote can also cause skin irritation, making the skin red, blistered, or ulcerated. Breathing in creosote vapours or having skin contact with it can burn the eyes and respiratory tract and cause headaches, fainting, and nausea when exposure is high.

Chronic Effects

Long-term exposure to creosote can lead to the same serious health issues as short-term exposure, but over a longer period.

Carcinogenicity

Studies have shown an increased risk of skin and lip cancers in workers exposed to creosote over time, especially when combined with sunlight exposure. Creosote exposure has also been linked to cancer of the scrotum, especially in chimney sweeps, and may increase the risk of bladder, brain, and lung cancer. Based on consistent evidence from human studies, creosote is classified as a carcinogen, meaning it may cause cancer. According to the Global Harmonised System (GHS), coal tar creosote is categorised as "Carcinogenicity Category 1B" (meaning it may cause cancer).

Creosote Safety

First Aid Measures

• Skin: Wash the affected area thoroughly using soap and water or with hand cleaners. Avoid using solvents.
• Eyes: Flush eyes immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention.
• Inhalation: Move the person to fresh air. If they are not breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If breathing is difficult, provide oxygen and call a doctor.
• Ingestion: If the person is conscious, make them vomit and take activated charcoal mixed with water. Seek immediate medical attention. Do not induce vomiting or give anything by mouth if the person is unconscious.

Exposure Controls & Personal Protection

• Engineering Controls: Work in areas with good ventilation, either natural or with exhaust systems.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
  • Skin Protection: Avoid skin contact by using non-porous gloves. For outdoor work, use waterproof sunscreen (SPF 25 or higher) and reapply every 90 minutes when exposed to direct sunlight. Use protective creams on exposed skin.
  • Eye Protection: Use safety glasses, goggles, or a face shield.
  • Respiratory Protection: In well-ventilated areas, a respirator is not needed. If necessary, use a NIOSH-approved respirator with an organic vapour cartridge.
  • Additional Recommendations: Do not take contaminated clothing home. It is recommended to take a full shower with soap and water after each workday.

Regulations

United States

OSHA: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has set an exposure limit of 0.2 milligrams of coal tar pitch volatiles per cubic meter of air (0.2 mg/m³) in the workplace during an 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek. 

ACGIH: The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists recommends the same level for coal tar pitch volatiles. 

NIOSH: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends a maximum level of 0.1 mg/m³ of coal tar pitch volatiles for a 10-hour workday, 40-hour workweek.

EPA: The Environmental Protection Agency requires that spills or accidental releases into the environment of 1 pound or more of creosote be reported to the EPA.

Australia

Safe Work Australia: Safe Work Australia has established a time weighted average (TWA) concentration for coal tar pitch of 0.2 mg/m³ for a 40-hour workweek.