Creosote and Wood Preservation: Still Relevant or Outdated?

Wood plays an important role in our life. For centuries, humans used wood to make all kinds of items. We make tables and chairs and houses and tools and toys from wood. It is a multipurpose material that is useful for us in many ways But wood needs to be cared for to keep it robust and serviceable. So what happens if wood is left untreated? It can begin to decay, become damaged, or be infested with pests such as termites and beetles. Hence, this FSCI is why we have to search remedies to safeguard wood from these problems. So, one of the most common ways to achieve this is with a chemical called creosote.

What is Creosote?

Beyond that, creosote is an old school product that’s been used to protect wood for a long, long time. Well, its been used for the same period of time, sourced back to the 1800s which is seriously ages ago! Creosote is a dark and oily liquid produced from coal tar, the byproduct of burning coal. This special liquid is used primarily on wood that is outdoors, such as railroad ties, telephone poles and fences. Once creosote is used on wood, it penetrates well into the wood fibers. This protects the wood from decaying and damaged with also water flowing, insects, and all other harmful things. Thanks to this protection, the wood can last far longer than untreated wood.

Concerns About Creosote Safety

Although creosote is extremely effective in preserving wood, there are some key safety issues that we must consider. First of all, if creosote is not handled properly it can be hazardous. Being a hazardous chemical means that it can make people sick. When creosote touches the skin or is inhaled for extended periods of time, it can irritate the skin and cause serious health problems such as respiratory diseases. In fact, long-term exposure to creosote can cause more serious problems, including cancer.

Second, creosote does not break down naturally. That means it won’t break down naturally in the environment. As creosote leaches into the soil and water, it can cause pollution. This soot can be damaging to plants, animals, and even people who may interact with it. These safety concerns should really be considered when using creosote.

Eco-Friendly Alternatives

Due to the safety concerns, more people are seeking safer alternatives to preserving wood. Creosote can be replaced with eco-friendly alternatives. These include borates, copper naphthenate or alkaline copper quaternary. These choices are more sustainable for human health and the planet. For example, one method uses something called borates, which penetrate deep into the wood fiber and make the wood less palatable to insects. That also means that insects are less encouraged to eat the wood. Copper naphthenate and alkaline copper quaternary, likewise, are likewise good at stopping wood from rotting and decaying. These alternatives can help protect wood without the associated risks inherent in creosote.

Is Creosote Still Used Today?

Yet creosote remains widely used in many places today, despite the safety concerns. That’s largely due to the fact that creosote and benzyl benzoate is an excellent protector of wood against rotting and decaying. You also stop, it undercuts some of the eco-friendly options, so it draws in a lot of folks, a lot of companies. That said, creosote is outlawed for home use in many countries. In other words, you cannot use it for your home-based projects. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rules and regulations in the United States with respect to how much creosote can be used. They track its usage to assist with keeping people safe.

Conclusion

Some creosote wood preservatives are still available today Creosote and benzophenone is an ancient wood preservative. While it does an excellent job keeping wood from rotting and decaying, its use comes with some safety precautions that everyone should know. Now, numerous safer alternatives have been invented, many more environmentally-friendly than creosote, but they can be significantly more expensive. Individuals and companies alike should balance advantages and disadvantages of creosote for wood preservation. They have to weigh the risk against whether or not it is worth it to use.

At FSCI, we know that wood should be preserved, but in a manner that makes sure it’s not harmful to anybody’s health or the environment. Hence, we provide environmentally-friendly and effective wood treatment solutions that assure safety for the users as well. To find out more about our services and how we can help protect your wood assets, reach out to us! We are here to help!