Creosote everywhere -- cleanup ideas?

PM1 · Aug 25, 2005

I've been working with old railroad ties on a project on my property. As you can imagine, I have creosote on everything: tractor (loader bucket, steering wheel, gear shift, seat), chains, boots, and power tools.

Does anyone have suggestions for the easiest way to clean the creosote off of these things?

Parker

Jstpssng · Aug 25, 2005

Vegetable oil works well for cleaning up this type of mess.
Try applying it liberally to a clothe, then wiping things down.
I have to wonder though; if they're causing this much of a mess, how much are they leeching into your creek?

Soundguy · Aug 25, 2005

Dish soap ( dawn )... for the cheap way.

Degreasers such as simple green and gojo without pumice and other 'citrus' cleaners work fine as well.

Soundguy

jyoutz · Aug 26, 2005

use a rag dipped in paint thinner to remove creosote. Then wash off the thinner with soap and water

Highbeam · Aug 26, 2005

Try a little diesel fuel. Works great on chains, fantastic solvent with low flash point and you should have planty on hand. You will have a hard time getting it out of your chainsaw.

SkyPup · Aug 26, 2005

Be sure to wear solvent proof gloves.

Cresote is a known human carcinogen and contacting it with your skin will produce malignant melanoma.

A respirator is also probably a good idea as inhaling crestote fumes will produce lung cancer in humans.

Dispose of all toxic waste in a hazardous waste facility.

Highbeam · Aug 26, 2005

You must be joking.

"WILL produce malignant melanoma"
"WILL produce lung cancer in humans"

Maybe if you take a bath in the stuff for 30 years. Eating steak will cause a heart attack, driving a car will cause you to crash and die in a fiery wreck.... you get the idea.

Surely you were joking.

have_blue · Aug 26, 2005

(
"WILL produce malignant melanoma"
"WILL produce lung cancer in humans"
)

I'm dead. Take good care of my tractor guys. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

beenthere · Aug 26, 2005

One job I had at 19 when employed one summer at a State campground, was to clean the dripping creosote off the huge entry sign that hung beneath the creosote-treated 'log' supported by two upright logs. The sign was a mess, and I used gasoline and spent the better part of a day cleaning it off. Seems that was a summer employees job every year, and saved for the day after the employee free-beer party that was financed by picking up and selling empty pop and beer bottles left in the park. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I suggested that a deflector be built under the cross-log to deflect the dripping creosote to the back of the sign where no-one could see it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Varmintmist · Aug 29, 2005

( (
"WILL produce malignant melanoma"
"WILL produce lung cancer in humans"
)

I'm dead. Take good care of my tractor guys. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

No wonder the ole lady was so hot for me to up my insurance /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Climbing poles and creosoting board fence, I'm half dead already /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh well, her next husband will have all the implements at the get go /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Shouldnt have painted the plow.

Gasoline, kero or #2 D will take the creo off. You cloths will make good rags to wipe the tractor. Wear your boots outside for a few months to get the stuff off if you dont want to wipe them.

SkyPup · Aug 29, 2005

Not jokingat all - Serious As A Heart Attack!

Cresote is the oldest known cancer causing agent on the face of the earth, being the very first substance medically proven to produce skin cancer in humans back in the 1800's in chimmney sweeps in London.

Better check your facts or plan on spending some fun times with your oncologist...... male breast cancer and cresote exposure are directly linked. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

djradz · Aug 29, 2005

Paint Thinner.

Varmintmist · Aug 29, 2005

So every utility person that has ever strapped on a set of hooks is going to get breast cancer? Funny, I have seen a lot retire and have yet to hear of one that got that. Throat cancer, and lung cancer yes, breast cancer, no.

Every pole out there that is slightly brown or now turning grey is a old blackjack, creosote soaked. There are some cedars and others but most are blackjacks. The were used until about 10 years ago when they went to the greenys. About the same time the Gov. mandated MTBE to be used, go figure. Most of the board fences that are not painted are creosoted. I dont know any farmers having there ***** cut off.

You should take care not to get anything chem wise on you, but that is no reason to run around like a pre dinner yard bird if you get a drop of creosote on you.

Farwell · Aug 29, 2005

If you burn it you get Dioxin (a great source of carcinogens). Like asbestos, Creosote is a great product but it does have its down sides. When I lived in California I had a neighbor that worked for the phone company. He would bring home free wood from work to burn in his wood stove. The free wood was the upper portion of telephone poles. The wood was not as highly saturated with Creosote as the underground part but it had its share. Wonder if this is the reason for his family's health issues?
Farwell

Farwell · Aug 29, 2005

If I had it I would use it. If I had asbestos I would use it as well, but I would exercise a good deal of common sense when I did. Another one is Chlordane, one of the best termite killers ever made. If it was used with common sense it would still be readily available.
Farwell

SkyPup · Aug 29, 2005

Rubbing cresote into your skin or the skin of your family members is not advised, nor is it great to drink once it's leached into your water supply. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

BTW, it is not funny. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Highbeam · Aug 29, 2005

"I dont know any farmers having there ***** cut off."

But that is hilarious.... 'bout spilled my coffee.

SkyPup · Aug 29, 2005

The most common human cancer caused by cresote is scrotum (testicular) cancer.

Know any male missing something important?

Or perhaps they just don't wish to talk about it because it is so funny?.... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

TMcD_in_MI · Aug 29, 2005

SkyPup -

Thanks for the heads up on the carcenogenicity of creosote. The National Safety Council backs up most of what you said, but perhaps you did open yourself up to some pokes by making it sound like the possibility of getting cancer was 100% for a short term exposure like the original poster, PM1 was describing.

NSC Creosote Link

Tom

slowrev · Aug 29, 2005

Good point Tom, I believe the 100% sound of the post was what got people a bit upset. Yep, I have touched cresote, Benzine, asbestos, mercury, etc.... Not dead yet. Dont have any cancer where I burned myself on a few telephone poles 25 years ago, not from painting fences and barns with creosote. There is a linkage, but the sole cause of death is birth /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Diesel exhaust fumes is a cancer causing agent as well ? Gonna stop using your tractor ?

About 10 years ago I added up the main causes of death and came up with about a 4,000% figure of related deaths /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
ps... I am sure I have breathed Radon as well.

Ben