How did the EU reach their conclusions about creosote and its potential carcinogencity?
As a result of the European Union having concerns over the carcinogenic potential of creosote, in 1994, the European Creosote Industry commissioned a carcinogenicity study to be carried out by the Fraunhoffer Institute. The results of the Fraunhoffer study were examined by the EU Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (CSTEE). CSTEE concluded that there was a concern to customers arising from the amateur use of creosote or creosote treated wood. These conclusions were then discussed by the EU Marketing and Use Working Group on Dangerous Substances. A new proposal was drafted, which was voted on by the individual member states and agreed. This led to the publication of Commission Directive 2001/90/EC which places a ban on the use of creosote by amateurs and places restrictions on the use of creosote treated wood.
