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2132180 
Technical Report 
Open Burning Of Creosote Treated Rail Ties: A Case Study In Health Risk Assessment 
Becker, D; Eckhardt, G; Seltz, J; Johnson, T 
1984 
NIOSH/00150371 
Paper No 
84-102 
84-102 
The hazards of burning creosote (8021394) treated rail ties were investigated. Open burning of railroad ties were conducted with samplers downwind of the burning piles. Total suspended particulates (TSP), polycyclic organic matter (POM), and cyclohexane (110827) extractable fractions (CEF) were measured. Meteorological data was obtained. Wind speeds ranged from 10 to 15 miles per hour. High TSP concentrations were experienced downwind after all test burns. High CEF concentrations were also detected. Concentrations of POM from the tie burns were higher than those in a tree waste burn. An average TSP emission rate of 8 pounds per hour was calculated. Benzo(a)pyrene (50328) and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene (53703), pyrene (129000), and fluoranthene (206440) were detected in the POM. The emissions were 40 percent as potent as coke oven emissions. Cancer risk was calculated using Environmental Protection Agency data to equal 1 in 12,000,000. The authors conclude that one time acute exposure to burning creosote treated wood had insignificant risk, but multiple exposures present unacceptable risks.