How does coal tar pitch get in the air?
When coal tar pitch is heated, it causes the release of various dangerous chemicals. These chemicals are referred to as coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPV). They are sometimes described as having a smoky smell or a chemical fume smell. If you are familiar with the way creosote smells, then you have an idea what the volatiles smell like in the air. The coal tar pitch volatiles drift into the air any time coal tar is baked; once airborne they are breathed by workers. These dangerous chemicals are also absorbed through the skin and membranes.
