United Sato Office of Ptttlodw and Toxic Sutxtence*,
Environmental Protection Office of Pextia'de Program (TS-766C)
Agency Washington. DC 2O46O
Pesticide
Fact Sheet
Name of Chemical: COAL TAR/CREOSOTE
Reason for Issuance: REGISTRATION STANDARD
Date Issued: APRIL 1988
Fact Sheet Number: 161
1. DESCRIPTION OF CHEMICALS
Chemical names: Creosote is a complex, heterogeneous mixture
of chemicals derived from the fractional dis-
tillation of coal or wood tar. Most coal tar/
creosote formulations for wood preservation
should conform to the eight standards of the
American Wood Preservers Association's(AWPA).
The standards consist of physical properties
and percentages of specified distillation
ranges.
Common names: Coal tar/creosote
Pesticide type: Wood preservative, fungicide, bacteriocide, in-
sect repellent for wood boring insect
Chemical family: Organic compounds
Major U.S. Producers: Koppers, Aristech Chemical, Allied Chemical,
Reilly Tar and Chemical Company
2. USE PATTERN AND FORMULATIONS
Application Sites: Wood and wood products, such as
"Pressure treated wood for construction
"Groundline treat of utility poles
"Home and farm use
"Pole framing
"Pilings
"Railroad tie repair
Types of Formulations: End use products vary from liquid to vis-
cous semi-solid tars and pitches
Method of Application: Pressure treatment and non-pressure treat-
ments; brush-on, spray-on and'dipping
(soaking)
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3. SCIENCE FINDINGS
Chemical characteristics
Physical state — viscous to oily liquid
Color — Black to yellowish—green
Odor - Naphthalene-like (petroleum)
Boiling point - Variable
Specific gravity — 1.08 and above at 20°C
Solubility — Soluble in organic solvents, e.g., benzene,
ether, alcohol, acetone; slightly soluble in water
Toxicological Characteristics :
Acute toxicty — Because of the complex nature of coal tar/creo-
sote and its constituents, acute toxicity of differing formulations
may vary considerably. Eye and skin burns, conjunctivitis and
skin sensitization have been reported in conjunction with worker
exposures.
Oral - Moderately toxic
Dermal — Moderately toxic
Inhalation — Undetermined
Eye Irritation — Corrosive or highly irritating to eyes
Skin Irritation — Undetermined
Dermal Sensitization — Undetermined
Oncogenicity : On a qualitative basis, there is substantial evi-
dence of oncogenicity associated with coal tar/creosote products.
There are no epidemiological studies of workers using coal tar/
creosote products in wood treatment plants. However, epidemiolo—
gical studies of coke oven workers, who are exposed to coal tar
compounds from coke oven emissions, reveal increased incidences
of lung, bladder, prostate, pancreas, and intestinal cancer.
Coal tar and many of its constituents have been well characterized
as oncogens in animal studies. However, because of the complexity
of coal tar/creosotes, available studies are not adequate for quan-
titative risk assessment. P n epidemiological study would provide
the best basis for assessing the human oncogenic risk of coal tar!
creosote.
The Agency is requiring oncogenicity studies in mice by the dermal
route, and is requiring that a preliminary epidemiological study
be conducted to collect data to be used in designing a comprehen-
sive epidemiological study.
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In addition, the Agency is requiring exposure studies among treat-
ment plant workers exposed to coal tar/creosote. These studies,
together with mouse dermal oncogenicity studies, will permit the
Agency to conduct a quantitative risk assessment.
Mutagenicity : Coal tar/creosote formulations have been shown to
elicit mutagenic responses in laboratory test species including
microbial and mammalian test systems. Creosote showed a positive
response in the Ames Test for mutagenicity. The Agency is requir-
ing additional Inutagenicity studies.
Teratogenicity : Data are not available to assess the teratogenic
or fetotoxic effects of coal tar/creosote products. These data
are required.
Environmental characteristics : Data are not available on the envi-
ronmental fate characteristics of coal tar/creosote or its indivi-
dual constituents. These data are required. Testing procedures
and test materials will be selected based on evaluation of product
chemistry arid other required data.
Ecological Characteristics : The Agency has very limited data re-
garding availability and toxicity of coal tar/creosote constituents
to fish and wildlife species.
Laboratory bioassays indicate the coal tar products are generally
moderately toxic to aquatic organisms. Because the amount and
type of exposure in the field is unknown, it is not possible to
estimate risks to aquatic organisms. Other than laboratory data,
there is no evidence to date of environmental hazards to marine
organisms (including endangered species) from its use in treating
wood used in aquatic sites.
Aquatic toxicity studies are required, and if significant toxicity
is found, studies will be required using treated wood to simulate
actual environmental exposures to freshwater and marine species.
Tolerance Assessment : There are no direct food or feed uses re-
gistered for coal tar/ creosote. Moreover, label restrictions
prohibit the use of coal tar or creosote products registered for
farm and home use to treat wood intended to be used in a manner
in which the preservative may become a component of food or feed.
Therefore the Agency has not established tolerances or exemptions
from tolerance in raw agricultural commodities, processed food
arid feed, or animals under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
(FFDCA). No clearances are required under the FFDCA to support
the registered uses of coal tar/creosote.
Because there are no food or feed uses, certain subchronic and
chronic studies, such as rat metabolism, chronic feeding studies
in rats and dogs, and reproduction studies are not required.
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4. SUMMARY OF REGULATORY POSITIONS AND RATIONALES
———The Agency is continuing requirements imposed under the
Special Review of coal tar/creosote products. These
include restricted use classification and protective
clothing and equipment requirements intended to reduce
exposure of applicators and treatment plant workers.
-—-The Agency is requiring an evaluation of the permeability
of various protective clothing materials to determine
which offer the greatest protection from coal tar/creosote
products.
-—-The Agency is requiring that registrants develop and main-
tain composite test materials(CTM) representing each of
the eight standard products defined by the American Wood
Preserver’s Association(AWPA). The physical/chemical
specifications of each product should be submitted along
with the procedure for developing the composite. The
Agency requires that each composite be analyzed for the
identity and quantity of individual constituents.
---The Agency is requiring toxicology testing using composite
materials that are representative of typical AWPA standard
products of coal tar/creosote. This is necessary because
coal tar/creosote products consist of a large number of in-
dividual constituents, testing of all of which is imprac-
tical.
———The Agency is requiring ecological effects data on AWPA
standard products of coal tar/creosote typically used for
the treatment of wood for the freshwater and saltwater
environments.
———All environmental fate data requirements for terrestial and
aquatic nonfood uses (40 CFR 158.130) are required. Test
materials for these studies will be determined by the
Agency after it has received and reviewed the product chem-
istry and other required data for the eight composites of
AWPA standard products.
-——The Agency is requiring registrants to conduct a preliminary
epidemiological study prior to requiring a comprehensive epi
demiological study in order to develop baseline data on the
nature and degree of risks to wood treatment plant workers.
———Exposure and work activity data are required to assess the
quantity and nature of coal tar/creosote products to which
treatment plant workers are exposed. Such studies will be
useful in designing an appropriate epidemiological protocol
or in quantitative risk assessment.
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5. SUMMARY OF LABELING STATEMENTS
Labeling requirements for coal tar/creosote products are out-
lined in Part IV.D of the registration standard. These requirements
parallel those presented in the Federal Register Notice, 51 FR 1334,
dated January 10, 1986. Specific labeling language is outlined for
for wood preservative products for each of the following five use
categories:
1. Pole Framing, Piling applications and Railroad Tie Repair
uses
2. Pressure Treatment uses
3. Groundline Treatment of Utility Poles
4. Home and Farm Use
5. Non—Pressure Treatment
With the exception of the Pole Framing, Piling Applications and
Railroad Tie Repair use category, product labels are required to
carry “Restricted Use Pesticide” classification and associated
language. The following types of label statements are required to
appear on the labels of all coal tar/creosote products.
Precautionary statements, including signal word DANGER based
on potential eye effects
Statements of practical treatment, including a statement not
to induce vomiting if swallowed
Protective clothing statements, including gloves, boots and
coveralls impervious to coal tar/creosote products; require-
ments for the decontamination and cleaning of such clothing.
Requirements for cartridge or canister respirators for work-
ers in treatment plants and for use around farms and homes
where inhalation exposure cannot be avoided.
A prohibition against indoor application and prohibition
against use of treated wood products indoors.
A prohibition against the use of home and farm products in
such a way that residues might transfer to crops, food,
feed or animals, such as crop storage buildings or beehives,
or where animals may be directly exposed to the pesticide,
such as brooding pens.
A prohibition against use where irrigation or drinking water
contamination may result.
Environmental hazard statements concerning toxicity to fish.
Identification as a toxic hazardous waste if disposed of.
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6. SUMMARY OF MAJOR DATA GAPS
Product Chemistry
--Product identity
——Analysis and certification
of product ingredients
——Physical/chemical characteristics
Environmental Fate
--Hydrolysis
--Photodegradation in water
--Aerobic soil metabolism
——Anarobic aquatic metabolism
——Aerobic aquatic metabolism
--Leaching and adsorption/desorption
--Soil dissipation
--Aquatic dissipation
Toxicology studies
——Acute toxicity
——Subchronic dermal and inhalation
--Oncogenicity (dermal)
——Teratogenicity
— —Mu tag en i city
Ecological effects studies
—-Avian acute toxicty
——Acute freshwater fish/invertebrates
and estuarine organisms
Special studies
——Protective clothing permeability
and durability studies
——Exposure studies (Protocol)
——Worker activities studies
--Epidemiology feasibility study
7. CONTACT PERSON AT EPA
Lois A. Rossi (PM-21)
Registration Division (TS—767C)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M St., SW
Washington, D.C. 20460
Telephone: Area Code (703) 557—1900
DISCLAIMER : The information presented in this Pesticide Fact
Sheet is for informational purposes only and may not be used to
fulfill data requirements for pesticide registration and reregis-
tration.
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