Wood preservation facilities, creosote: chapter D, table 4

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Table 4. Potential Health Effects of Exposure to Creosote

		Possible health effects
Exposure Category (Route of Entry)	Type of exposure	Short-term exposure	Long-term exposure
Estimated daily intake from various sources (air, water, food - ex. BBQ meat)^a
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)	Varies largely, depending on the different sources of petroleum hydrocarbon or coal-derived products and their uses. The highest concentrations of PAHs in ambient air in Canada were measured at stations located about 1 km from aluminum smelters using the Horizontal Stud Söderberg process in Jonquière and Shawinigan, Quebec. The median concentrations of total PAHs (the sum of 26 compounds) were 693 ng/m³ (mean of 1687 ng/m³) at Jonquière and 435 ng/m³ (mean of 1519 ng/m³) at Shawinigan, with maxima of 10400 and 16 390 ng/m³, respectively (Ringuette et al., 1993).
Eye contact ^a^b^c^d	Direct contact Mist, vapour or splashes	Redness Irritation of eyes Pain	Ulceration Potential carcinogenic action Severe burn
Skin contact ^a^b^c^d	Occasional direct contact with liquid, vapours or mists Significant skin contact with creosote (i.e. total immersion of worker in tank, improper protective measures inside storage tank or retort)	Reddening and itching (contact dermatitis) Effects enhanced by exposure to sunlight Burning may result if creosote is not removed from skin Absorption of creosote through skin causes discoloration of skin, sweating, thirst, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains May cause dermatis and hyperpigmentation of skin Potential carcinogenic action (skin cancer) has been reported
Exposure to airborne contaminant or dust Inhalation ^a^b^c^d ACGIH threshold limit value (TLV) time weighted averages (TWA) ^e^f	Inhalation of vapours in excess of TLV Benzene-soluble coal tar pitch volatiles: 0.2 mg/m³air (Potential contributions to overall exposure can occur through the cutaneous route, including mucous membranes and eye, either by airborne or, more particularly, by direct contact with the substance.)	Irritation of nose and throat Sweating, thirst, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, with subsequent convulsions or coma
Ingestion ^a^b^c^d	Ingestion of creosote through manipulation of contaminated goods (dishes, gum, candy, food, tobacco, liquids)	Burns mouth, throat and stomach Subsequent salivation, vomiting, respiratory difficulties, thready pulse, vertigo, headache, loss of pupillary reflexes, hypothermia, cyanosis and convulsions Fatal dose: 7-10 g Death would be due to circulatory collapse and respiratory failure
Chronic symptoms ^a^b^c^d	Repeated exposures		Carcinogenic to humans Skin irritation, sensitivity Skin lesions

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Date modified:: 2017-09-10