Tighter restrictions on industrial creosote use

摘要

TOUGH restrictions on the industrial uses of creo- sote, a toxic chemical used as a wood preservative, will come into force on 1 May 2013, following a tightening of rules by the European Commission. The new rules amend the Biocides Directive and stem from a risk assessment of the effects of creosote on human health and the environment. Creosote, a complex mixture of hundreds of distinct compounds, is a carcino- genic substance and there are environmental risks when wood treated with it comes into direct contact with soil or water.