Material Safety Data Sheet
CREOSOTE TREATED WOOD
1. CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION
PRODUCT NAME: CREOSOTE TREATED WOOD
Preserved Wood
OTHER/GENERIC NAMES:
PRODUCT USE: Construction, transportation (railroad), communication (telephone poles)
MANUFACTURER:
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL:
2. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENT NAME CAS NUMBER WEIGHT %
Wood ----- 85%
Creosote 8001-58-9 15%
The Creosote content of treated wood is based on a treatment level of 7 lbs. of Creosote per cubic foot of wood; the
actual percentage can vary due to differences in woodstock and treatment.
Trace impurities and additional material names not listed above may also appear in Section 15. These materials may
be listed for local "Right-To-Know" compliance and for other reasons.
3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: Handling may cause splinters. Preservative treatment may
cause eye and skin irritation. Observe good hygiene and safety practices when handling
this product. Creosote and wood dust are classed as carcinogens. Do not use this product
until MSDS has been read and understood.
Current Issue Date: May, 1996 Page 1 of 7
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
CREOSOTE TREATED WOOD
POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS
Contact with skin can result in irritation which when not washed off or when
SKIN:
accentuated by sunlight, can result in minor burns (i.e. sunburn).
EYES: Overexposure to product vapors can result in irritation. Eye contact with treated or
untreated wood dust or preservative can result in irritation, which in the absence of
recommended first aid can result in minor burns to the eyes.
INHALATION: Finely divided wood dust, treated or untreated, may cause nose, throat or lung
irritation and other respiratory effects. Preservative vapor may cause respiratory tract
irritation. If exposed in a closed space, vapors may produce headache, drowsiness, and
possible weakness and incoordination.
INGESTION: Swallowing treated sawdust may cause mouth, throat and stomach irritation. Nausea,
vomiting and diarrhea can occur.
DELAYED EFFECTS: CREOSOTE PRESERVATIVE: Prolonged and repeated skin exposure over many
years in the absence of recommended hygiene practices may lead to changes in skin
pigmentation, benign skin growths and may in some cases, result in skin cancer.
Additionally, inhalation of creosote vapors may present a lung cancer hazard.
UNTREATED WOOD DUST OR SAWDUST: Wood dust has been classified as
carcinogenic to humans (IARC-Group 1). Wood dust will most likely occur during the
cutting of the treated wood and should not be expected during the normal handling.
Ingredients found on one of the OSHA designated carcinogen lists are listed below.
INGREDIENT NAME NTP STATUS IARC STATUS OSHA LIST
Creosote Known Carcinogen 2A-Probable Carcinogen ----
Wood dust ---- 1-Known Carcinogen ----
4. FIRST AID MEASURES
Rinse skin free of particulates. Wash thoroughly with soap and water. Avoid solvents. Rub gently
SKIN:
to avoid abrasion of skin. Get medical attention if irritation persists.
EYES: Gently flush any particles from the eye with large amounts of clean, cool water for at least 15
minutes. DO NOT RUB EYES. Get medical attention if irritation persists.
INHALATION: Remove from exposure. If breathing has stopped or is difficult, administer artificial respiration or
oxygen as indicated. Seek medical aid.
Wipe material from mouth and lips. If symptoms appear, seek medical aid.
INGESTION:
ADVICE TO There is no specific antidote for effects from overexposure to this material. Treatment should be
PHYSICIAN: directed at the control of symptoms and the clinical condition. (See Section 3. for Health Hazards
and Effects).
Current Issue Date: May, 1996 Page 2 of 7
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
CREOSOTE TREATED WOOD
5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
FLAMMABLE PROPERTIES
FLASH POINT: Not Applicable
FLASH POINT METHOD: Not Applicable
AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE: Not Determined
Not Determined
UPPER FLAME LIMIT (volume % in air):
Not Determined
LOWER FLAME LIMIT (volume % in air):
FLAME PROPAGATION RATE (solids): Not Determined
OSHA FLAMMABILITY CLASS: Not Applicable
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA:
Water/fog, carbon dioxide, foam, dry chemicals, sand, or steam.
UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS:
Water/fog can control unconfined fires.
When heated to elevated temperature, it emits lower molecular weight hydrocarbons.
SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PRECAUTIONS/INSTRUCTIONS:
Wood dust may form explosive mixture with air. Fire vapors and combustion products are irritants and toxic. Self-
contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective clothing should be worn if material is involved in a fire.
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
(Always wear recommended personal protective equipment.)
IN CASE OF SPILL OR OTHER RELEASE:
Not Applicable
Spills and releases may have to be reported to Federal and/or local authorities. See Section 15 regarding reporting
requirements.
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
(Always wear recommended personal protective equipment.)
NORMAL HANDLING:
Wear clothing closed at the neck, long sleeves and non-porous type gloves. Industrial type resistant (e.g., vinyl
coated) heavy duty flexible gloves required for prolonged or frequent contact. For dusty operations (areas), wear
necessary resistant protective apparel including required head, hand and safety-type footwear. Wear tightly woven
coveralls or long sleeved shirts and long pants. A complete soap and water shower at the end of each working day is
recommended for all industrial work situations.
STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS: Keep away from open flame.
8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION
ENGINEERING CONTROLS: Avoid breathing vapors or sawdust, ventilate work area, wear respirator, goggles, or
face shield. Ventilation necessary only if material handling generates dust. Provide sufficient general/local exhaust
ventilation in pattern/volume to control inhalation exposures below current exposure limits and areas below
explosive dust concentrations.
Current Issue Date: May, 1996 Page 3 of 7
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
CREOSOTE TREATED WOOD
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
SKIN PROTECTION:
Wear necessary protective clothing to protect head, face, neck and uncovered skin from contact with wood dust
or preservative. For exposed skin, the application of a commercially available sun-blocking lotion is
recommended to greatly reduce the phototoxicity of creosote associated sun burning. The lotion should be
applied prior to the application of a barrier cream and should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater.
The application of a barrier cream (e.g. Ply 9 Gel, MSA's Fend AE-2, Kerodex 51, Jergens SBS-46) is recommended
to prevent coal tar containing products from contacting skin.
Safety glasses, goggles or face shield when power sawing or machining.
EYE PROTECTION:
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION:
Not normally required except when handling procedure(s) generate dust. If ventilation does not maintain
inhalation exposures below PEL (TLV), use NIOSH /MSHA-approved units as per current 29 CFR 1910.134. If
within OSHA protection factor, air purifying OV/filter units are acceptable. Use a NIOSH-approved respirator
with suitable particulate cartridge.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS:
Showering and clothing change is strongly recommended at the end of each work shift.
If oily preservatives/sawdust soil clothes, launder work clothing separately from household clothing before
reuse. A complete change of work clothes should be used each day if contaminated. Whenever possible,
sawing/machining treated wood should be performed outdoors to avoid accumulations of airborne treated wood
sawdust.
Urethane/epoxy/shellac are acceptable sealers for creosote treated wood. Coal tar pitch and coal tar pitch
emulsions are effective sealers for creosote treated wood block flooring.
EXPOSURE GUIDELINES
INGREDIENT NAME ACGIH TLV OSHA PEL OTHER LIMIT
Creosote (measured as Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles, CTPV) 0.2 mg/m3 0.2 mg/m3 None
Wood Dust
Hard (certain hardwood species - oak and beech) 1 mg/m3 TWA 5 mg/m3 TWA None
10 mg/m3 STEL
Soft
5 mg/m3 TWA 5 mg/m3 TWA None
10 mg/m3 STEL 10 mg/m3 STEL
OTHER EXPOSURE LIMITS FOR POTENTIAL DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS:
Material does not decompose. Combustion products include carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen.
9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Treatment imparts dark brown to black color.
APPEARANCE:
Solid
PHYSICAL STATE:
MOLECULAR WEIGHT: Not Applicable
CHEMICAL FORMULA: Not Applicable
Current Issue Date: May, 1996 Page 4 of 7
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
CREOSOTE TREATED WOOD
Penetrating, smoky odor
ODOR:
Approximately the same as untreated wood
SPECIFIC GRAVITY (water = 1.0):
SOLUBILITY IN WATER (weight %): Not Applicable
pH: Not Applicable
BOILING POINT: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
MELTING POINT:
Negligible @ ambient
VAPOR PRESSURE:
VAPOR DENSITY (air = 1.0): Not Applicable
EVAPORATION RATE: COMPARED TO: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
% VOLATILES:
Not Applicable
FLASH POINT:
(Flash point method and additional flammability data are found in Section 5.)
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
Stable
NORMALLY STABLE? (CONDITIONS TO AVOID):
Strong acids. Open flame.
INCOMPATIBILITIES:
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS:
Material does not decompose. Combustion products include carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen.
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION: Will not occur
11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
IMMEDIATE (ACUTE) EFFECTS: Possible skin irritation which is accentuated by sunlight.
DELAYED (SUBCHRONIC AND CHRONIC) EFFECTS: IARC has classified wood dust as a human carcinogen.
Normal handling of the creosote treated wood would not be expected to generate wood dust, but cutting, grinding
and/or other activities may generate wood dust.
OTHER DATA:
Persons with pre-existing disease or a history of ailments involving the skin or respiratory tract may be at a greater
than normal risk of developing adverse health effects from woodworking operations with this product.
The IARC monographs (Vol. 35) states that there is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of creosote in
experimental animals. The NTP Annual Report on Carcinogens states that creosote oils are carcinogenic in
experimental animals. Creosote does not appear in the OSHA Subpart Z Table. Epidemiological studies of workers
in the woodtreating industry have shown no significant health effects due to occupational exposure to creosote.
Many cohort and case-control studies of cancer of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses have shown increased risks
associated with exposure to wood dust. Adenocarcinoma of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses is clearly
associated with exposure to hardwood dust. Occupational exposure to wood dust does not appear to have a causal
role in cancers of the oropharynx, hypopharynx, lung, lymphatic and haematopoietic systems, stomach, colon or
rectum.
No known ingredients which occur at greater than 0.1%, other than those listed above, are listed as a carcinogen in
the IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans, the NTP Annual Report
Current Issue Date: May, 1996 Page 5 of 7
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
CREOSOTE TREATED WOOD
on Carcinogens or OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1001-1047 subpart Z Toxic and Hazardous Substances (Specifically Regulated
Substances).
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Not Determined
13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
RCRA
Solid Waste/ Potential Hazardous Waste
Is the unused product a RCRA hazardous waste if discarded?
If yes, the RCRA ID number is: Potential characteristic waste
OTHER DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Treated wood should not be burned in open fires or in stoves, fireplaces or residential boilers because toxic chemicals
may be produced as part of the smoke and ashes. Treated wood from commercial or industrial use (e.g. construction
sites) may be burned only in commercial or industrial incinerators or boilers in accordance with local, state and
federal regulations. Treated wood is not regulated as a hazardous waste by the USEPA, and usually does not fail the
USEPA TCLP test, depending on sampling procedures, particle size, type of wood and proportion of treated to
untreated wood sample. Dispose of sawdust and wood in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.
Contact your direct supplier for additional disposal information.
The information offered here is for the product as shipped. Use and/or alterations to the product such as mixing
with other materials may significantly change the characteristics of the material and alter the RCRA classification and
the proper disposal method.
14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
US DOT HAZARD CLASS: Not Regulated
US DOT ID NUMBER: Not Applicable
For additional information on shipping regulations affecting this material, contact the information number found in
Section 1.
15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (TSCA)
TSCA INVENTORY STATUS: Creosote - listed on EPA's TSCA Inventory
OTHER TSCA ISSUES: None
SARA TITLE III/CERCLA
"Reportable Quantities" (RQs) and/or "Threshold Planning Quantities" (TPQs) exist for the following ingredients.
INGREDIENT NAME SARA/CERCLA RQ (lb) SARA EHS TPQ (lb)
Creosote 1 Not Applicable
Current Issue Date: May, 1996 Page 6 of 7
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
CREOSOTE TREATED WOOD
Spills or releases resulting in the loss of any ingredient at or above its RQ requires immediate notification to
the National Response Center [(800) 424-8802] and to your Local Emergency Planning Committee.
Immediate, delayed, fire (for creosote)
SECTION 311 HAZARD CLASS:
SARA 313 TOXIC CHEMICALS:
The following ingredients are SARA 313 "Toxic Chemicals". CAS numbers and weight percents are found in
Section 2.
INGREDIENT NAME COMMENT
Creosote de minimus concentration is 0.1 %
STATE RIGHT-TO-KNOW
In addition to the ingredients found in Section 2, the following are listed for state right-to-know purposes.
INGREDIENT NAME WEIGHT % COMMENT
None
ADDITIONAL REGULATORY INFORMATION: None
WHMIS CLASSIFICATION (CANADA):
Class D, Division 2, Subdivision A, very toxic material (For Creosote)
TDG Flammability Classification: None. Sensitivity to mechanical impact: NA.
Sensitivity to static discharge: NA.
FOREIGN INVENTORY STATUS: (For Creosote)
Listed on the EINECS Inventory - ID#2322875
Listed on the Canadian Inventory Domestic Substance List (DSL)
16. OTHER INFORMATION
CURRENT ISSUE DATE: May, 1996
PREVIOUS ISSUE DATE: April, 1991
CHANGES TO MSDS FROM PREVIOUS ISSUE DATE ARE DUE TO THE FOLLOWING:
Updated data on wood dust carcinogenicity.
MSDS updated to include 16-Section ANSI Format for Material Safety Data Sheets.
OTHER INFORMATION: None
Current Issue Date: May, 1996 Page 7 of 7
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