Coal Tar Epoxies
Coal Tar Epoxies
(OP)
I'm specifying paintwork for a marine environment and a coal tar epoxy has been proposed.
Its a bit of a dirty word in the UK at the minute & from what I understand it will be banned at some point.
Am I right in saying this is only due carcinogen concerns from the fumes during application? i.e. as long as safe working methods are followed it is okay and once it is dry its fine? Its not bio-toxic or anything?
There are alternatives & obviously we do not want to propose anything dangerous but I just want to make sure I take a balanced view.
Thanks
Its a bit of a dirty word in the UK at the minute & from what I understand it will be banned at some point.
Am I right in saying this is only due carcinogen concerns from the fumes during application? i.e. as long as safe working methods are followed it is okay and once it is dry its fine? Its not bio-toxic or anything?
There are alternatives & obviously we do not want to propose anything dangerous but I just want to make sure I take a balanced view.
Thanks





RE: Coal Tar Epoxies
RE: Coal Tar Epoxies
Dik
RE: Coal Tar Epoxies
Another good line of Epoxies (Bitumastic) are by Carbolin.
I have used all three of these products.
http://www.epoxyproducts.com/coaltar.html
http://w
RE: Coal Tar Epoxies
Occupational Medicine Forum: Cancer and coal tar epoxy resins
Article Abstract:
The evidence of several past studies indicates that pipe coaters exposed on the job to coal tar epoxy resin face a greater risk of cancer. Coal tar epoxy resins are a combination of coal tar and epoxy. Coal tars and coal tar pitches vary in composition; the source of the coal tar and its processing method determine the particular composition of a coal tar and its chemical characteristics. More than 300 compounds have been identified in coal tars. Included are potent cancer-causing substances such as methylcholanthrene, 3,4-benzypyrene and 1,2:5,6-dibenzanthracene. Epoxy resins are a class of thermosetting plastics that are based on ethylene oxide or its derivatives. Fillers, such as asbestos, may be added to the resin or the coal tar, and some epoxy resin systems utilize such solvents as xylene and methyl isobutyl ketone. Workers generally use solvents such as acetone, alcohol, trichloroethylene and methyl ethyl ketone to clean up coal tar epoxy splatters and droplets. A search of the medical and scientific literature does not yield references to animal or human studies of cancer associated with epoxy resins. There is, however, substantial literature on coal tars and the formation of cancer. Documentation of skin cancer associated with coal tars dates back over 200 years. Studies of workers exposed to coal tar have suggested an association with lung, kidney, prostate, bladder, colon, stomach, esophagus, sino-nasal, oral and pancreatic cancers. Some studies have shown an association between coal tars and leukemia and multiple myeloma (a tumor growth, often leading to cancer, in bone marrow). Most of these findings have not been verified; many involve asbestos or benzene exposure that occurred simultaneously with coal tar exposure. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has concluded that coal tar and coal tar pitch are carcinogenic, increasing the risk of lung and skin cancer in workers.
Read more: http://www
RE: Coal Tar Epoxies
Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04
RE: Coal Tar Epoxies
1) Price
2) Quick curing times (can be immersed in 1 hour, which is particularly useful in marine environments)
3) Uniformity - it can be shop applied or site applied (for site touch ups at connections/following damage etc)
Its a difficult one - as micalbrch says, if the safety guidelines are followed then it sounds as though it is okay. From what I understand all the risks and concerns are during application, once it is dried its safe, in which case it seems to fall into the category of 'industrial nasty' where strict precautions are required.
The main concern is of course that the realities of site are often a little more laissez faire than we would hope...
I think we will propose a glass flake or high solids epoxy and explain to the Client that coal tar epoxy is an option, but it brings with it site H&S concerns that we would prefer to avoid.
UKCiv
RE: Coal Tar Epoxies
I've been around Coal Tar production and use for my life time and the only problem I've seen is burns and Asthma attacks on ASmatics. In CTE's its the catalyst/curing agent that worries me as they are lot of people that will chemical dermatitis from contact, especially the amines.
Addenda:
People who worked in Coal Tar plants never have colds or flu. the was a product that was in th tails of one of the refining columns that was rubbed on cuts to prevent infection. This turn out to have sulfonamide in it. Creosote was a far more dangerous product for people to handle.
RE: Coal Tar Epoxies
Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04
RE: Coal Tar Epoxies
We tend to specify a specific product that would be suitable with 'XXXX or suitable alternative with agreement from the Client's Engineer'. There are a number of propriety systems out there and we don't want to bind tendering contractors to using one particular supplier.
For our marine work all the coating systems have to be prequalified for use in the C5-Marine/Offshore environment other wise they wouldn't even be considered. To be honest I think any Contractor tendering on the basis of a non-qualified system would be discounted...
We received a tender from a Contractor (for another job I'm working on) specifying Coal Tar Epoxy as a suitable alternative to the glass flake system we proposed. In areas requiring abrasion resistance its clear we can argue it should be glass flake but elsewhere - the CTEs are qualified for C5-M, can be immersed within 1 hour and are much cheaper.
I think the best thing we can do is be clear with the Client from the tender document stage - as unclesyd says, maybe CTEs need to just be viewed as industrial coatings that care has to be taken with.
SJones - thanks for that Jotun example, I'll take a look at those products.
RE: Coal Tar Epoxies
RE: Coal Tar Epoxies
The above reply regarding CTE gives one the impression that CTE is deemed 'qualified' simply because it is shown in Table A.5 of ISO 12944-5.
It is not a means of binding the contractor, it is a means of putting all proposed paint systems on as near a level playing field as possible. Take a scenario when comparing the glass flake with the CTE, neglecting abrasion resistance, what dry film thicknesses are you going to compare? You may find that, for the CTE to match the corrosion protection performance of the glass flake, the DFT has to be doubled or tripled. The cost differential may then not be so attractive if it has to go on in one or more extra coats given that labour is the biggest cost driver.
Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04