Creosote Council Blog
Railway Tie Association Appoints Dr. Nathan Irby as Executive Director
The Railway Tie Association (RTA) recently announced that Nathan (Nate) Irby, Ph.D. has been appointed as its new executive director. The RTA was organized 102 years ago to promote the economical and environmentally sound use of wood crossties. Dr. Irby has most recently field managed the strategic sourcing wood tie program for Union Pacific, the nation’s largest Class 1 railroad. He has also served as an adjunct professor with Mississippi State University’s Sustainable Bioproducts program....
FAQ Video: Preserving Wood Infrastructure with Creosote
Creosote has been a dependable preservative of wood infrastructure since the Industrial Revolution. Creosote-treated wood is used in many infrastructure sectors, including transportation, communications, energy, and maritime developments. Despite this widespread use, the use of creosote as a preservative raises many questions. This video addressed the most frequently asked questions about creosote treatment, use, and benefits: How long has creosote been used as a wood preservative? How is...
VIDEO: Creosote-Treated Wood Products – An Integral Part of the Nation’s Infrastructure
Creosote-treated wood products have been a valuable part of critical infrastructure in North America. This video explains coal-tar creosote's contribution to the longevity of wood products, its many uses, its treatments processes, and more. The Creosote Council is a non-profit product stewardship and joint data development group composed of the U.S. registrants of coal tar creosote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G2YncGMyfw
History, Use & Health Effects Of Creosote: Article in RTA’s Crossties Magazine
The Railway Tie Association's Crossties magazine recently published the article, "History, Use & Health Effects Of Creosote" by Stephen T. Smith. The article reviews how creosote-preserved wood has been used for over 200 years, remaining an important structural material. The paper provides a general understanding of what creosote is and precautions appropriate for working with creosote-preserved wood. Topics covered include: What Is Creosote? A History of Creosote During Industrial...
A Conversation with Creosote Council Attorney Larry Ebner
Larry Ebner has served as attorney for the Creosote Council since its inception in the mid-1980s. The Council’s Administrative Director, Dave Webb, recently asked Larry to chat about his professional background and work with the wood preserving industry. Dave Webb: Larry, I know that you have been a lawyer for almost half a century. Can you briefly summarize your professional background? Larry Ebner, Attorney for the Creosote Council Larry Ebner: After graduating Harvard Law School...