[weirdsowing]

Wondering if anyone could clarify the situation on use of creosote. Someone on the allotment site is currently treating the wood he is planning to use to make raised beds with creosote. I thought is was toxic. Wanted to make sure of my facts before I raised it in conversation.

[joyfull]

no it is not safe and members of the general public should not use it. Here is a link tp the HSE's page about it:-

http://www.hse.gov.uk/biocides/copr/creosote.htm

Are you sure he isn't using creocote which smells the same?

[weirdsowing]

It could be the creosote substitute as it smells the same - I will sneak a look at the tub before I make any comment. Thanks for the fast feed back. 

[Paul Plots]

If it is creosote it must have been hiding in the back of a shed for ages as it is no longer on sale  :blink:

[arugula]

If it is creosote it must have been hiding in the back of a shed for ages as it is no longer on sale  :blink:

to the general public, although it is still available.

[Paul Plots]

If it is creosote it must have been hiding in the back of a shed for ages as it is no longer on sale  :blink:

to the general public, although it is still available.

And here are all the exciting details 

[joyfull]

  same post I put up earlier 

[Paul Plots]

same post I put up earlier 

Of fiddle! Sorry 

[joyfull]

no worries 

[nwalch]

It could be the creosote substitute as it smells the same - I will sneak a look at the tub before I make any comment. Thanks for the fast feed back. 

So the new stuff (creosote substitute) is safe to use on raised beds etc. then?

[Aunt Sally]

I personally wouldn't use it near plants especially if I want to eat them.

Wickes has a safety data sheet for it:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/content/ebiz/wickes/resources/images/coshh/607099.pdf

[hightide]

Creosote was banned from use by the general public on 30 June 2003

Creosote substitute was introduced and marketed by lots of companies, these early products were withdrawn by 1st February 2009 as the preparations contained Dichlofluanid a rather nasty derivative of Ritolan.

Amateur users (that's us) should only be able to purchase a modified oil based timber treatment such as Creocote made by Bartoline among others.

I use it on the boards around my raised beds as this type of preservative is very effective against soil fungicides and other nasties which quickly rot timber covered in soil. It is safe near plants and animals after application and when dry.

As with all biocides sensible handling precautions are required, the suppliers must print user data on the packaging, it is the users responsibility to read them and respond. 



 

[Cornelius]

 I want to make a compost heap with pallets. Can I protect the wood with creosote?

[Aunt Sally]

Only if you want to produce toxic compost 

Green cuprinol should be safe.

[arugula]

Unless you are a professional, you cannot buy or use creosote in the UK now, although you don't tell us where you are. You will be able to purchase and use creocote, which should be safe to use for this applcation.