The Pollution Team comprises four officers, led by a Principal Environmental Health Officer. The Team responds to complaints and also provides a range of monitoring and educational activities.
Contaminated Land
Our contaminated land page is here.
Creosote
We are sometimes asked for information about creosote and have produced the following guidance. This covers the nature of creosote, the relevant law, health issues and disposal.
What is creosote?
The term creosote is most commonly used to refer to a coal tar product which has been distilled from crude coke oven tar. It is mainly composed of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) but also contains phenols and cresols. It is a thick, oily liquid typically amber to black in color.
It’s main purpose is to preserve wooden utilities/telephone poles, railway sleepers and bridge timbers from decay.
Regular or frequent skin contact can cause cancer. Those most at risk are therefore persons who regularly work with creosote. Simple precautions can prevent contamination.
The Legal Position
The use of Creosote has been strictly regulated since European Directive 2001/90/EC on its marketing and use came into force in the UK by virtue of The Creosote (Prohibition on Use and Marketing)(No. 2) Regulations 2003.
Members of the public were required to use up their stocks of the chemical before 30th June 2003. It is still legal to sell creosote in large quantities for professional use only or to use items which have been treated with creosote, such as railway sleepers in garden landscaping.
Unfortunately, the Regulations fail to define which regulator enforces the restrictions on DIY use. They were made under consumer protection law for which the enforcing authority is the County Trading Standard Officer. It is Gosport Borough Council’s opinion that responsibility for enforcing the Regulations also rests with Trading Standards. Customers should, therefore, either contact Consumer Direct on 0845 04 05 06 or 01622 626520; Minicom users should call 08451 281384. Further contact information is available from the Consumer Direct web site, www.consumerdirect.gov.uk. All complaints or enquiries made to Gosport Borough Council will be passed on to Trading Standards.
There are various creosote substitutes now available for DIY use. These still have to be
approved by the Health and Safety Executive. They may also be hazardous to
the environment and users must comply with the manufacturer’s safety
precautions.
Health Concerns
Any concerns about the health effects of the use of creosote, inhaling fumes or coming into contact with treated products should be referred to your doctor. The Council is unable to give medical advice.
Disposal
The Council cannot arrange disposal of creosote or articles which have been treated with creosote. This is the property-owner's responsibility. For further information please check our Streetscene page – click here. Alternatively, contact Streetscene direct on 08000 198 598 during office hours or e-mail streetscene@gosport.gov.uk any time.
For further information about Environmental Health please call (023) 9254 5505, 5506 or 5507 during office hours or call at the Town Hall, High Street, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 1EB.
Alternatively e-mail ehs@gosport.gov.uk any time.
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