Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

KOPPERS P.E.C. (PIGMENT EMULSIFIED CREOSOTE)

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

Timber preservative used e.g. to protect rail sleepers, electric and telegraph poles
against moisture, fungus and termites. Applied by pressure/vacuum impregnation where the
heated creosote is forced by pressure into the timber in sealed autoclave.

SYNONYMS

"timber preservative"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

May cause CANCER.
Harmful in contact with skin and if swallowed.
Irritating to eyes and skin.
Toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long- term adverse effects in the aquatic
environment.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Accidental ingestion of the material may be harmful; animal experiments indicate that ingestion of less than 150 gram may be fatal or may produce serious damage to the health of the individual.  Considered an unlikely route of entry in commercial/industrial environments.  

EYE

  This material can cause eye irritation and damage in some persons.  The liquid produces a high level of eye discomfort and is capable of causing pain and severe conjunctivitis. Corneal injury may develop, with possible permanent impairment of vision, if not promptly and adequately treated.  

SKIN

  Skin contact with the material may be harmful; systemic effects may resultfollowing absorption.  This material can cause inflammation of the skin oncontact in some persons.  Toxic effects may result from skin absorption.  The material may accentuate any pre-existing dermatitis condition.  Reactions may occur following a single acute exposure or may only appearafter repeated 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.  Inhalation hazard is increased at higher temperatures.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  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 by accidental skin and eye contact and by inhalation of vapors especially at higher temperatures.  As with any chemical product, contact with unprotected bare skin; inhalation of vapor, mist or dust in work place atmosphere; or ingestion in any form, should be avoided by observing good occupational work practice.  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.  Patients receiving tar ointments for various skin complaints have developed skin cancer in a number of case reports. There is evidence that these ointments can cause mutations. Patent-fuel workers and workers exposed to coal tars or coal-tar pitches have developed cancer of the skin and scrotum. Studies have shown that workers exposed to coal tar fumes in coal gasification and coke production have a higher rate of developing lung cancer. A study in US roofers indicated an increased risk for cancer of the lung and suggested increased risks for cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, skin and bladder and for leukemia. One study showed a small increase in bladder cancer rates in coal tar distillers and patent-fuel workers.  Coal tar derived grades of creosote contain coal tar pitch volatiles and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are known to cause cancer. They are the chief ingredients of tar-derived creosote.  Thermal and creosote dip-treatment workers in wood-treatment plants may have consistent potential inhalation exposures to creosote and these PAHs. Although PAHs are normally not absorbed through uninjured skin, it might be absorbed with other chemicals or through broken skin.  Circumstances may cause treated timber to exude creosote. This may happen  after extended ageing. All personal contact should be avoided and care  should be taken when sawing or drilling treated timber that all dust is  contained.