What Is Creosote?
The word covers several products. ATSDR says creosote is the name used for wood creosote, coal tar creosote, coal tar, coal tar pitch and coal tar pitch volatiles, mixtures of many chemicals created by burning beech and other woods or coal, or from the resin of the creosote bush. The EPA says creosote used as a wood preservative is derived from distilling tar from wood or coal, and protects outdoor wood such as railroad ties and utility poles against termites, fungi, mites and other pests.
In a fireplace or wood stove, creosote means something else. The EPA says smoke from burning wood can condense and stick to the inside walls of a cooler chimney, forming creosote, a highly combustible black or brown residue that could cause a chimney fire if enough builds up.
ATSDR says creosote compounds can irritate the skin and eyes, that skin rashes, severe skin irritation and chemical burns to the surface of the eye have been seen in workers and laboratory animals, and that longer direct skin contact with low levels can increase light sensitivity and damage the cornea and skin. The EPA says creosote is used only for commercial purposes and has no registered residential uses, that it is a restricted use pesticide, and that indoor applications and use on wood meant for interiors or for contact with food, feed or drinking water are prohibited.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Government sourceATSDR says creosote is the name used for wood creosote, coal tar creosote, coal tar, coal tar pitch and coal tar pitch volatiles, mixtures created by burning woods or coal, or from the resin of the creosote bush. ATSDR, CDC ↗
- Government sourceThe EPA says smoke from burning wood can condense on the inside walls of a cooler chimney as creosote, a highly combustible black or brown residue that could cause a chimney fire if enough builds up. US EPA Burn Wise ↗
- Government sourceThe EPA says creosote is derived from the distillation of tar from wood or coal, and that creosote pesticide products protect outdoor wood such as railroad ties and utility poles against termites, fungi, mites and other pests. US EPA ↗
- Government sourceATSDR says creosote compounds can irritate skin and eyes, that rashes, severe skin irritation and chemical burns to the eye have been seen in workers and lab animals, and that longer skin contact can increase light sensitivity. ATSDR, CDC ↗
- Regulatory filingThe EPA says creosote is used for commercial purposes only with no registered residential uses, is a restricted use pesticide, and may not be applied indoors or to wood for interiors or contact with food, feed or drinking water. US EPA ↗
- Regulatory filingThe EPA’s reregistration decision for creosote records that earlier changes, noted in the Federal Register of January 13, 1986, classified it as a restricted use pesticide and restricted it to non-residential sites. US EPA, Reregistration Eligibility Decision for Creosote ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.