We are thinking about purchasing a turn of the century house in my hometown, but just found out that the wood siding was probably coated with creosote. This was used as a wood preservative at one time. Is there any way to get rid of this chemical or should we steer clear of this house?
2007-05-01 02:35:39 · 4 answers · asked by gramy 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Creosote I remember well from my childhood and railroad ties! It seeps with WARM (pardon the capital letters, emphasis only) weather. It is oil based product and stinks and stains if brushed against with hands, clothes or shoes...
My question would be environmental hazard associated with upkeep and disposal if eventually had to be replaced...I think this is where you want to go next for to buy or not to buy (upkeep and disposal)...Railroad ties do rot out eventually and need replaced...they do dry out...
Contact a hardware store...google creosote...
Hope I helped
2007-05-01 02:49:07 · answer #1 · answered by Patches6 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One thing is if it smell. At this age it should not. As far as Health problems it debatable.
If, it the siding you may ask for a Remodeling Bonus to reside the house. This is money you receive from the seller upon closing from their profit. I have seen people ask for a $5,000 remodeling Bonus and get it. Below a little I found to read and short excerpts from each.
Long-term exposure to low levels of creosote, especially direct contact with the skin during wood treatment or manufacture of coal tar creosote-treated products has resulted in skin cancer and cancer of the scrotum.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creosote
Because there are so many possible combinations of compounds, there is no MRL for creosote. There are no MRLs for acute, intermediate or chronic exposure, whether through ingestion, inhalation, or dermal contact, for any of the PAHs except for intermediate ingestion exposures to four of the PAHs.
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/PHA/fedcreosote/fed_p2.html
2007-05-01 02:51:39 · answer #2 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that coal tar is carcinogenic to humans and that creosote is probably carcinogenic to humans. The EPA has determined that coal tar creosote is a probable human carcinogen.
Creosote is a possible human carcinogen and has no registered residential uses
2007-05-01 02:48:08 · answer #3 · answered by Michael I 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you wish to read for yourself about the hazards that come with creosote you can try
www.bpbcorp.com/creosotesht.html
2007-05-01 03:06:44 · answer #4 · answered by eudaemon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋