Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

KOPPERS OCB TREATED TIMBER

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Timber which has been pressure impregnated with a petroleum oil and creosote blend
preservative 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.

SYNONYMS

"creosote and fuel oil treated timber", "pigment emulsified creosote wood dusts,
shavings, turnings, borings"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause CANCER.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, 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, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  Overexposure is unlikely in this form and quantity.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

EYE

  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).  

SKIN

  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.  Sensitization reactions may appear suddenly after repeatedsymptom free exposures.  

INHALED

  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.  Respiratory sensitization may result in allergic/asthma like responses; from coughing and minor breathing difficulties to bronchitis with wheezing, gasping.  Inhalation hazard is increased at higher temperatures.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  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 ample evidence that this material can be regarded as being able to cause cancer in humans based on experiments and other information.  

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact with the material and inhalation of generated dust i.e sawdust.  This material is a photosensitizer. Certain individuals working with this substance may show allergic reaction of the skin under sunlight. This results in sensitivity to sunburn (may be severe) unless protective covering and 15+PF sunscreen are used. Responses may vary from sunburn-like effects to swelling and blistering lesions.  Timber wet with treatment chemicals may cause skin irritation on prolonged  contact and contains oils which may cause skin cancer following prolonged  or repeated contact.  Wood dusts are respiratory sensitisers and special care must be taken in  their management; the hazard is increased for treated timber.  Treated timber must NOT be used for cooking over open fires, barbecues,  spit roasts.  Originally thought to be related to species of hardwood, it is now  suggested that sinonasal cancers may be caused by the dusts generated  from hardwoods and softwoods. The causative agent or agents appear to  be components of the timber but have not been identified.  Other chronic responses to wood dust exposures are dermatitis,  conjunctivitis, simple bronchitis and non asthmatic chronic airflow  obstruction.