On Jun 9, 7:44 pm, Billy wrote:
In article ,

"SteveB" toquerville@zionvistas wrote:
I am looking for some old railroad ties. They have creosote treating on
them, but it is weak due to the age of the ties. Is this a problem when
using them to form raised beds?

Steve

http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/factshee...te_prelim_risk...
ess.htm

2. What is creosote and how is it used?
Creosote is a wood preservative used for commercial purposes only; it
has no registered residential uses. Creosote is obtained from high
temperature distillation of coal tar (itself a mixture of hundreds of
organic substances). Over 100 components in creosote have been
identified. It is used as a fungicide, insecticide, miticide, and
sporicide to protect wood and is applied by pressure methods to wood
products, primarily utility poles and railroad ties. This treated wood
is intended for exterior/outdoor uses only. Its commercial uses include
railroad ties (70%), utility poles (15-20%), and other miscellaneous
commercial uses (10-15%).

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3. Are there any health risks associated with exposure to
creosote-treated wood?
The risk estimates provided in this risk assessment are of a preliminary
nature and subject to refinement. The process that EPA uses to review
chemicals through reregistration is intended to gather additional
information and input from the public and stakeholders about exposure
and risk that will be used to revise the risk estimates. Based on such
input through this public comment period, EPA will develop a revised
risk assessment and will be able to determine whether or not risk
mitigation measures are needed.

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4. What safety precautions should one take when handling or coming into
contact with creosote?
Creosote penetrates deeply into and remains in the pressure-treated wood
for a long time. Exposure to creosote may present certain hazards.
Therefore, the following precautions should be taken both when handling
the treated wood and in determining where to use the treated wood. It
should be noted that such exposure usually only occurs when one comes
into contact with railroad ties and/or utility poles.

USE SITE PRECAUTIONS

€ Do not use where frequent or prolonged contact with bare skin can
occur.
€ Do not use in residential settings. In interiors of industrial
buildings, it should be used only for industrial building components
which are in ground contact and subject to decay or insect infestation
and for wood block flooring in industrial settings.
€ Do not use in the interiors of farm buildings where there may be
direct contact with domestic animals or livestock which may bite or lick
the wood.
€ Do not use treated wood for cutting-boards or counter tops.
€ Do not use where it may come into direct or indirect contact with
public drinking water.

HANDLING PRECAUTIONS

€ Dispose of treated wood by ordinary trash collection or burial.
€ Do not burn wood in open fires or in stoves, fireplaces, or
residential boilers because toxic chemicals may be produced as part of
the smoke and ashes.
€ Avoid frequent or prolonged inhalation of sawdust from treated
wood.
€ Avoid frequent or prolonged skin contact with creosote-treated
wood.
€ When handling the wood, wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants and
use gloves impervious to the chemicals.
€ When power-sawing and machining, wear goggles to protect eyes from
flying particles.
€ Wash work clothes separately from other household clothing.
-------

http://www.metrokc.gov/health/hazard/treatedwood.htm

Old railroad ties are frequently used to build raised beds or to terrace
slopes. This wood has been treated with creosote, a product derived from
coal. Creosote has certainly proven itself as wood preservative over a
long period, but because it is toxic and because it has become a
restricted-use pesticide, questions have arisen about its safe use
around plants.

Creosote can volatilize into the air, especially during hot weather, and
plant foliage in the vicinity of the ties may be damaged by the vapors.
It can also leach into the soil near the ties, but it will not be
absorbed by the roots and will therefore not get into the plants'
tissues.

When using railroad ties for raised beds or similar areas, avoid putting
plants too close to the wood. Keeping plants three of four inches away
should prevent damage. Also, don't ever use creosote-treated wood in
interior locations such as greenhouses, since the vapors will damage or
kill plants in them.
--

Billy
Bush and Pelosi Behind Barshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KVTfcAyYGg&ref=patrick.nethttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0aEo59c7zU&feature=related

Highly informative post. Thanks.

Chris