Evaluation of some reports on risks to health from exposure to coal-tar-based wood preservatives

Technical Report · Fri Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5617416

Jacobsen, M

This report reviews evidence about health risks that may arise in people exposed to coal-tar-based wood preservatives. The limited information available that is relevant directly to possible effects in humans is assessed critically, from an epidemiological point of view. It is concluded that body contact with this class of materials can produce inflammatory skin conditions and benign tumors. The need for effective action to reduce the incidence of this kind of response is emphasized because there is fairly strong evidence that, under adverse conditions, such benign skin lesions may be precursors for skin cancer. There is no evidence that coal-tar distillate fractions with boiling points below 360 C (the main part of the mixtures used in timber preservation) can themselves give rise to skin cancer in man.

• Research Organization: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh (UK)
• OSTI ID: 5617416
• Report Number(s): PB-86-181260/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
COAL TAR
PRESERVATIVES
EPIDEMIOLOGY
HEALTH HAZARDS
WOOD
GERMANY
NORWAY
RISK ASSESSMENT
SWEDEN
EUROPE
HAZARDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SCANDINAVIA
TAR
WESTERN EUROPE
552000* - Public Health
560306 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)
010500 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Products & By-Products