KOPPERS CREOSOTE-TREATED TIMBER
Flammability | 1 | |
Toxicity | 0 | |
Body Contact | 0 | |
Reactivity | 1 | |
Chronic | 3 | |
SCALE: Min/Nil=0 Low=1 Moderate=2 High=3 Extreme=4 |
Timber which has been pressure impregnated with creosote for protection against fungal
decay and insect attack. Use is not recommended where there may be food or fodder contact;
drinking water contact, except for incidental contact as for structures as bridges, docks.
Also not recommended for regular contact with bare skin i.e.; seats, chairs; farm
structures on which animals may chew, also brooding, farrowing, or small animal rearing
structures. Sawing and sanding produces dust which contains the preservative chemical.
Avoid handling or sawing freshly treated wet timber.
"creosote treated timber", "wood dusts", shavings, turnings, borings
The material has NOT been classified as "harmful by ingestion". This is because of the lack of corroborating animal or human evidence. The material may still be damaging to the health of the individual, following ingestion, especially where pre-existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, unintentional ingestion is not thought to be cause for concern.
Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).
Entry into the blood-stream, through, for example, cuts, abrasions or lesions, may produce systemic injury with harmful effects. Examine the skin prior to the use of the material and ensure that any external damage is suitably protected. The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.
The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or irritation of the respiratory tract (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable control measures be used in an occupational setting.
Various woods are able to induce allergies, both of the immediate onset type in woodwork which causes a respiratory syndrome, and of the delayed type which results in eczema from exposure to dusts and direct contact. Cross-reaction is common. Certain alkaloids are contained in some species, causing headache, anorexia, slow heart rate and breathing difficulties. Conjunctivitis is also possible. Allergic reactions are aggravated by fungi and bacteria associated with wood. Cancers of the respiratory tract seem to be more common in those professions associated with the use of wood. This seems to be true for both hardwood and soft wood. There is some evidence that inhaling this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population. There is limited evidence that, skin contact with this product is more likely to cause a sensitization reaction in some persons compared to the general population.