Creosote is the most highly-used wood preservative in the United States. It is used to treat railroad ties, telephone poles and many other wood products. Coal tar creosote, the most popular form of creosote, is produced when coal is treated with high temperatures.
Creosote most commonly enters the body through the skin, when a person is exposed to contaminated soil. Children may injest creosote after touching soil or wood products saturated with creosote. People working the the wood preserving industry can injest creosote through their lungs.
Workers using creosote-treated wood to build fences, bridges or railway tracks may also be exposed to creosote, and inspectors of creosote-treated structures may also be exposed.
Creosote can enter the body through the lungs, stomach, intestines and through the skin.
Injesting creosote may cause a burning in the mouth and throat as well as stomach pain. Herbal remedies containing creosote bush leaves may result in damage to the liver or kidney.
People who have inadvertently ingested creosote may experience a rash, severe irritation of the skin, chemical burns of the surfaces of the eye, convulsions and mental confusion, kidney or liver problems, unconsciousness, or even death.
Exposure to creosote vapours can also cause irritation of the respiratory tract. Long term exposure to low levels of creosote can cause skin cancer and cancer of the scrotum.
Register your Creosote Case
If you feel you qualify for damages or remedies that might be awarded in a possible creosote exposure class action or lawsuit, please fill in our form on the right to submit your complaint.
My father past away from cancer and my mother, brother and sister all had cancer from this chemical that was used in our home as children. Fortunately my mother, sister and brother are in remission but my other brother wasn’t so lucky.
Posted by connie hathorn
on
My father, Quincy Thomas Hathorn worked for year sat the American Creosote plant in Louisville, MS until he developed a constant cough which forced him quit the job. Several years later he was diagnosed with black lung cancer and died six months later. We always suspected that the environment he worked in at the plant contributed to the cancer. Unfortunately, our next neighbor who also worked at the creosote plant passed away with the same cancer.
Please accept the request as a formal complaint
Posted by Ernestine Pattie
on
I lived about a quarter mile from the site with my three kids and had one while living there. my son has breathing problems , I have problems with tumors and systs, headaches high blood pressure and other problems dealing with respritory issues my baby that I had over there has children with problems , my husband whom was my boyfriend at the time had a stroke about a year and a half ago , if there is something that can be done please contact me at the email address provided.
Posted by charlene kirksey
on
please submit to me a claim form to sign up for this class action. I lived 20 miles away from the American Creosote site in Louisville, MS
Posted by Sheilajn nichols
on
My husband works for the phone company for years actually 40 years or more he climb telephone poles the biggest majority of his life and he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and he passed away August 3rd 2015 they are telling me that the creosote probably had a lot to do with this I'm just trying to find some help on this matter
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