Understanding Creosote: What You Should Know

Creosote is a thick, dark liquid derived from the distillation of tar. It features a strong, smoky odor and is primarily used as a wood preservative. Its primary characteristics include exceptional durability and resistance to moisture, making it ideal for extending the life of utility poles and railroad sleepers. While it has practical industrial uses, it’s important to handle creosote with care due to its potential health risks. In this article, you can learn more about creosote.

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Health & Environmental Risks

Wood treated with creosote can pose significant risks to both health and the environment. Understanding these risks is essential.

 

Creosote is a biocide containing numerous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), many of which are recognised by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as carcinogenic to humans (Category 1B).


According to the National Institutes of Health, creosote fumes can cause:


– Respiratory tract irritation, coughing, and shortness of breath
– Skin rashes, burning sensations, and increased light sensitivity
– Chronic bronchitis, asthma, and even permanent damage to the cornea


Research  shows that residents living near wood treatment plants experience statistically significant increases in:


Cancer (10% exposed vs. 2.08% unexposed)
Bronchitis (17.8% vs. 5.8%)
Asthma (40.5% vs. 11%)


As well as neurological and mucous membrane symptoms
Beyond health risks, there is also documented environmental impact.

For example, according to surface water analysis referenced in EPA Surface Water Monitoring Report for ScanPole Kill, there was a failed compliance check where surface water drains became contaminated at Killhill with chemicals from their site:


“4.4. Killhill stream and Painestown_010 waterbody – The results of analysis for SW02 were within the guidelines for all parameters except Anthracene which was 0.18 ug/l. This exceeds the guideline value of 0.1ug/l. Anthracene was above the Surface Water Regulation value (0.1 ug/l) at 0.19 ug/l.”

 

Exceeding the Surface Water Regulation guideline of 0.1 µg/L—representing an 80–90% breach!

In other words contamination was 80% to 90% above the allowed levels of Anthracene [1] [2] as per the licence granted to ScanPole.

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Creosote health

Hillfort, Kill: A Community Creosote Crisis

Located in Kill, Co. Kildare, the Hillfort estate is a quiet residential development that should offer families comfort, safety, and clean air. But in recent years, residents have faced an increasingly alarming problem: an intense, unmistakable creosote odour that periodically invades their homes and outdoor spaces. The source of this odour has been traced to the ScanPole wood treatment facility, located approximately 3 kilometres east of the estate.

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Voices From Kill

The creosote odour from PDM is completely unacceptable. The smell is so strong it seeps into nearby houses, making it impossible to escape even indoors. Residents are unable to enjoy their gardens or even step outside without being overwhelmed by the toxic odour. The odour is causing health problems—many people are experiencing headaches, nausea, respiratory issues and general discomfort from constant exposure. This is not just an annoyance; it’s a serious concern for public health and quality of life. The EPA need to revoke the license and PDM need to stop using creosote as a matter of urgency for public health and safety.
Concerned Resident
The stench of creosote coming from PDM is absolutely unbearable and downright dangerous. For the past two days, our children have been vomiting from the overwhelming fumes. I’m struggling to breathe—the air is thick with this toxic chemical. The smell is so intense it infiltrates our homes, making it impossible to find relief even indoors. It’s like living in a gas chamber. Our community is suffering. We can’t enjoy our gardens, we can’t go for a walk, we can’t even open a window without being assaulted by this noxious odour. People are reporting headaches, nausea, breathing problems, and a constant feeling of sickness. This isn’t just unpleasant—it’s hazardous. This is a clear public health crisis, and nothing is being done. The Environmental Protection Agency must revoke PDM’s license immediately. There is no justification for continuing to expose entire neighborhoods to a chemical known for its toxicity. PDM must be forced to stop using creosote—now—before more people get sick. Enough is enough..
Concerned Parent
Please STOP (ScanPole) using Creosote!!! Even the people passing by Kill can smell the odour easily. It's that bad. Feels like some chemical industry zone.
Concerned Resident
Awful place (ScanPole). Using outdated oil based creosote, a substance banned by the EU because of its carcinogenic properties. Vapours from this creosote stuff prevade the air. Water runs off the poles stored there when it rains carrying creosote into the local water courses. Amazing that PDM has an exemption to use this stuff in order to supply a State company. There are safer and better ways to preserve electricity poles. Shame.
Concerned Resident
This place is polluting the air in Kill to an unimaginable state. The whole town smells of gas and oil a couple of times a week. We can’t open our windows, we can’t go for walks. Toxic and harmful. They should be shut down.
Concerned Resident
Site (ScanPole) should be closed down, the air pollution coming from this site is affecting residential areas close by. The use of creosote means that residents of local villages cannot enjoy the outdoors and have to purchase air purifiers for their homes to enjoy their homes. Poles are stored in large volumes outside and the stench of creosote lingers in the air sometimes for days, it becomes worse during warmer months. Creosote is very harming to everyone's health. EPA needs to take this matter seriously.
Concerned Resident
This company is regularly using creosote, leading to air contamination and smell affecting residents living nearby. It’s unacceptable in 2025 to be operating like this with no concern for the environment or the health of the community. I hope the proper environmental authorities investigate this.
Concerned Resident
I’m leaving this review to raise a serious concern about the persistent and unpleasant chemical odours coming from the PDM (ScanPole) factory in Kill, Co. Kildare, which treats wooden poles with creosote. On warm, calm days, a strong tar-like smell spreads through the area, making it extremely uncomfortable to be outside and often noticeable even indoors. This has been happening repeatedly, including very recently, and the odour can linger for hours. This is extremely concerning. We can’t even open our windows for fresh air because of the strong fumes. I’m deeply worried about the potential long-term health impacts of exposure to airborne pollutants from this facility. I hope PDM (ScanPole) will take this feedback seriously, investigate the issue, and review their emissions and mitigation measures. The impact on the local community’s health and quality of life cannot be ignored.
Concerned Resident
Air pollution from this site (ScanPole) is unbearable. Sometimes head out in the mornings with the taste of creosote in my mouth, never seems to be as strong in the village.
Concerned Resident
We have experienced the terrible creosote odour coming from the site, making the air quality of nearby houses and areas very poor. Environmental and health hazard.
Concerned Resident
I’m extremely disappointed to learn that this company still uses creosote to treat timber. Creosote is a known health hazard, linked to serious issues including skin irritation, respiratory problems, and even long-term cancer risks. It’s alarming and irresponsible in this day and age when safer, more eco-friendly alternatives are readily available.
Concerned Resident
Local school children are forced to walk to school through a heavy, toxic smell emanating from creosote used at scanpole Ireland— it’s deeply concerning and completely unacceptable. During warmer weather, the stench becomes overpowering. My family and I cannot enjoy our own garden because the smell makes us feel unwell. This situation is disgraceful, and it’s shocking that nothing has been done to protect the health and wellbeing of residents.
Concerned Parent
This company’s continued use of toxic creosote is not only outdated but downright dangerous. Local residents are suffering from foul air and contaminated surface water leading to rivers, yet the company shows no regard for public health or environmental safety. It’s a disgraceful example of profit over people.
Concerned Resident
Still no closer to hearing about a solution to the foul smell in local area. Residents badly affected. Awaiting a solution from this business
Concerned Resident
Being a taxi driver I am rarely in the area but when I am, very noticeable odour that makes me feel sick. I wondered if it was here and then reading an article confirms that it's this place. I would think as a matter of health and safety that it needs to be closed down. Feel bad for the residents around and puts me off business in the area.
Concerned Business
Scanpole doesn't care about it's local community or environment as it continues to use creosote, a known carcinogenic, instead of switching to the available alternatives to treat poles. We can't open windows in our home because the stink from creosote will infiltrate our home, the first time I experienced this, more than a year ago, I thought there was a fire somewhere in my house. Residents in my neighbourhood are seriously concerned and distressed by the impact this is having on our daily lives and potentially our health. It's time to switch to alternatives Scanpole.
Concerned Resident
Creosote odour issues affecting nearby homes, this needs to be addressed.
Concerned Resident
Should be shut down with immediate affect! Local people left to suffer and can’t enjoy the amenities of the area because the air is toxic. Local school children are forced to walk to school through a heavy, toxic smell emanating from creosote used at scanpole Ireland— it’s deeply concerning and completely unacceptable. During warmer weather, the smell becomes overpowering. This situation is disgraceful, and it’s shocking that nothing has been done to protect the health and wellbeing of residents. Local businesses will suffer and this disgraceful company will drive people away from Kill.
Concerned Resident
The company (ScanPole) should be closed
Concerned Resident
Constant air pollution from this site (ScanPole)
Concerned Resident

In the Media

Media articles have reported on cases where creosote contamination has led to health issues and environmental damage. It’s important to be informed about the potential risks associated with creosote exposure.

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Effected by Creosote in Kildare? Take Action and File a Complaint.

Make a complaint to the Environmental Protection Agency: 

Click Here 

Contact Public Health:

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Contact Kildare County Council:

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