Umair Gaines
Creosote is a wood preservative that has been used for utility poles for well over a century. It is an effective preservative, delivering an impressive lifespan of 40 years or more for utility poles. However, it has come under scrutiny in recent times due to its classification as a Category B carcinogen and a persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substance. This has led to a ban on its use in Europe and a search for alternative preservatives for utility poles, including copper in oil preservatives and full barrier sleeves. While creosote-treated poles are still in use in some parts of the United States, such as Texas and Louisiana, the focus on balancing cost, environmental impact, and material performance is driving the exploration of new options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use | Creosote is a preservative used to treat utility poles, telephone poles, and railroad ties. |
| Effectiveness | Creosote is effective in preserving wood, with a documented record of long-term performance and safety. It offers an impressive lifespan of 40 years or more for utility poles. |
| Toxicity | Creosote is classified as a Category B carcinogen and a persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substance. It can irritate the skin and cause damage if it comes into prolonged contact. |
| Environmental Impact | Creosote has a low total environmental impact and is often derived from plant sources. However, it is subject to tightening regulations and bans in some regions due to its toxicity. |
| Alternatives | Other preservatives for utility poles include CCA, CuN, DCOI, ACZA, and Penta. Full barrier sleeves and copper-in-oil preservatives are also being explored as alternatives to creosote. |
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What You'll Learn
Creosote is a wood preservative used for electrical/telephone poles
Creosote is a wood preservative that has been used for electrical and telephone poles for well over a century. It is one of six preservatives for utility poles and crossarms used in North America, including CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate), CuN (Copper Naphthenate), DCOI (4,5-Dichloro-2-N-Octyl-4-Isothiazolin-3-One), ACZA (Ammoniacal Copper Zinc Arsenate), and Penta (pentachlorophenol). Creosote-treated utility poles have a long-established record of performance and are known for their safety and reliability. They have offered a low total environmental impact and an impressive lifespan of 40 years or more.
Creosote is a natural substance derived from plants, and it is designed to stay on the wood as long as possible. It is often used to preserve wooden utility poles because it helps protect against insects and decay fungi, which are two of the most common causes of pole deterioration and failure. The potential for deterioration is higher at the ground line or below, where there is a greater chance of exposure to water and insects.
While creosote has been a popular choice for preserving wooden utility poles, its future in Europe is uncertain due to health and environmental concerns. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has classified creosote as a Category B carcinogen and a persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substance, leading to stricter regulations and an impending ban. As a result, utility companies are seeking alternative preservatives that can match creosote's longevity while complying with new standards.
One alternative to creosote is the use of copper in oil preservatives, which combine copper with water-repellent oils to extend pole life by reducing moisture ingress and preservative loss. Another option is the Polesaver Rot-Guard™, which is a cost-effective and sustainable solution. When combined with water-based or copper-in-oil preservatives, Polesaver sleeves can extend the expected service life of utility poles to match that of creosote-treated poles.
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Creosote is toxic and a Category B carcinogen
Creosote is a coal tar product, containing varying amounts of PAHs and other mutagenic and carcinogenic substances. The two main types of creosote are coal-tar creosote and wood-tar creosote. Coal-tar creosote is the most widely used wood treatment today, both industrially and for consumers. It is commonly used to preserve and waterproof telephone poles, power line poles, and fence posts.
Coal-tar creosote has been deemed toxic to fungi, insects, and marine borers, and it also acts as a natural water repellent. However, its toxicity extends to humans as well. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), consuming food or water contaminated with high levels of coal-tar creosote may cause a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, as well as stomach pains. Direct contact with large amounts of coal-tar creosote can result in severe skin and eye irritation, chemical burns, convulsions, mental confusion, kidney or liver problems, and even death. Longer direct skin contact with low levels of creosote mixtures or their vapours can lead to increased light sensitivity, cornea damage, and skin damage.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that coal-tar creosote is probably carcinogenic to humans, based on animal testing and limited human evidence. Animal testing has shown that the continuous application of creosote to the shaved skin of rodents resulted in the development of cancerous skin lesions, and in one test, lesions of the lung. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified coal-tar creosote as a probable human carcinogen, resulting in workplace exposure limits and mandatory reporting of spills or releases into the environment.
In Europe, the classification of creosote as a Category B carcinogen by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has led to stricter regulations and an impending ban on its use. Creosote is also regulated by Directive 94/60/EC, which states that classification as a carcinogen is not necessary if the BaP content is lower than 50 ppm. Creosote with a BaP content of 50-500 ppm is restricted from being sold to consumers but can be used in industrial installations and for professional applications.
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Creosote alternatives include copper in oil preservatives
Creosote is a wood preservative that has been used to treat utility poles, among other things. It is a colourless to yellowish greasy liquid with a smoky odour and a burned taste. Creosote is derived from coal tar, and the term has a broad range of definitions depending on the origin of the coal tar oil and the end use of the material. For example, when derived from oil tar, it is called oil-tar creosote, and when derived from water gas, it is called water-gas-tar creosote.
Due to its effectiveness in preserving wood, creosote has long been the gold standard for wood preservation, delivering an impressive lifespan of 40 years or more for utility poles. However, concerns have been raised about its environmental impact and potential health hazards. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has classified creosote as a Category B carcinogen and a persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substance, leading to stricter regulations and a ban across various applications in Europe.
As a result, utility companies are seeking alternatives to creosote. One such alternative is copper in oil preservatives, which combine copper with water-repellent oils like A.W.P.A. P9a or tall oil. These preservatives aim to extend the life of utility poles by reducing moisture ingress and preservative loss. While these treatments show promise, there is limited field test data to confirm their long-term effectiveness in real-life use conditions.
Other alternatives to creosote include full barrier sleeves, such as the Polesaver Rot-Guard, which help control wood moisture content and prevent the onset of wood rot. When combined with copper-in-oil preservatives, these sleeves can extend the expected service life of utility poles to 40 years or more, matching the longevity of traditional creosote treatments. Additionally, products like Polesaver Rot-Guard offer a total seal, eliminating the factors necessary for wood decay and providing an environmentally friendly solution for utility companies.
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Creosote-treated utility poles have a long lifespan
Creosote is a wood preservative that has been used for over a century to treat utility poles. It is one of six preservatives used for utility poles and crossarms in North America, the others being CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate), CuN (Copper Naphthenate), DCOI (4,5-Dichloro-2-N-Octyl-4-Isothiazolin-3-One), ACZA (Ammoniacal Copper Zinc Arsenate), and Penta (pentachlorophenol). Creosote-treated utility poles have a long lifespan, often lasting 40 years or more, and sometimes even longer.
The preservative manufacturers Nisus Corp., Coopers Creek Chemical Corp., Koppers, Inc., Lone Star Specialty Products, and Rain Carbon, Inc. have all supported the use of creosote. Creosote-treated wood has a low total environmental impact and is a high-performing choice for preserved wood products. It has a documented record of long-term performance and a reputation for safety and reliability.
The long lifespan of creosote-treated utility poles can be attributed to the preservative's ability to protect the wood from harsh weather conditions, insects, and decay fungi. Utility poles are subjected to rain, ice, wind, and other environmental factors that can cause deterioration and reduce the lifespan of the poles. By treating the wood with creosote, the poles are better protected from these elements, resulting in a longer lifespan.
However, there are concerns about the use of creosote due to its potential health and environmental hazards. Creosote can irritate the skin and cause other health issues if there is prolonged contact. Additionally, it has been classified as a Category B carcinogen and a persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substance by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), leading to stricter regulations and a ban on its use in Europe.
As a result of the creosote ban in Europe, utility companies are seeking alternative preservatives that can match the longevity offered by creosote. While there are other wood preservatives available, such as copper-based treatments and full barrier sleeves, industry feedback indicates that these alternatives may not provide the same level of longevity as creosote-treated poles. Nevertheless, with ongoing research and development, there may be potential alternatives that can extend pole life while also addressing environmental and health concerns.
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Creosote is banned in Europe
Creosote is a wood preservative that has been widely used to treat utility poles, fencing posts, railway sleepers, and telegraph poles. It is known for its ability to extend the lifespan of wood by up to 40 years or more. However, due to health and environmental concerns, creosote has been banned in Europe.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has classified creosote as a Category B or Grade 1B carcinogen, as well as a persistent, bioaccumulate, and toxic substance. This classification has led to stricter regulations and a long-term ban on creosote across various applications in Europe. The safety and environmental credentials of creosote had been under review across Europe since 2011, with several derogations given during this time. At the end of September 2022, EU member states voted to restrict the authorization of creosote, with the ban coming into effect on April 30, 2023.
The ban on creosote in Europe has led to the development of alternative wood preservatives. One such alternative is Tanasote S40, a new oil-based wood preservative that has gained authorization in Sweden and Belgium, with further approvals expected throughout Europe and the UK. Other alternatives include steel, composite, and concrete poles, as well as advanced copper-based preservatives and copper in oil preservatives. However, some of these alternatives have drawbacks, such as high costs or lack of environmental benefits.
For utility companies facing the creosote ban, full barrier sleeves combined with water-based or copper-in-oil preservatives have emerged as a promising solution. These sleeves help control wood moisture content, preventing wood rot and extending the lifespan of wooden utility poles to match that of traditional creosote treatments. As regulations around wood preservatives continue to tighten and environmental standards evolve, companies are seeking innovative solutions that ensure compliance and sustainability. While the future of creosote in Europe remains uncertain, the development and adoption of alternative treatments are well underway.
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Frequently asked questions
Creosote is a wood preservative that has been used successfully for over a century. It is often used for utility poles, railroad ties, and telephone poles.
Creosote has recently been classified by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as a Category B carcinogen and a persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substance. This has led to stricter regulations and a ban across various applications in Europe. However, creosote is often derived from plant sources and occurs naturally in the environment. While it can irritate the skin, it is not expected to poison the soil or groundwater.
Several alternatives to creosote exist, including copper in oil preservatives, full barrier sleeves, and other wood preservatives such as copper naphthenate, ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate, and pentachlorophenol.
