Treated wood and timbre - are they health risk?

[spader]

Hi All

I came across these articles on internet. I was wondering if having, using, working with or burning these treated wood and timbre are health risk to human beings and animals. Because I find most of these articles are from USA or Canada. There does not seem any I can find from Europe or the rest of the world. So it made me wonder if it is localised issue in North America. Or would it be world wide issue. cheers.

http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Creosotetreated_timbers_Cut_with_care.html

http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/chemwood.html

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2011/2011_100-eng.php

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/infpre.html

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_you_burn_pressure_treated_wood_in_the_fireplace

 

[Zingmo]

Tanalith C contains arsenic but it is no longer approved for use in Europe under the Biocidal Products Directive since September 2006. We have moved on to Tanalith E (the "E" stands for Ecological) which doesn't contain arsenic. Tanalith C and other CCA products are still used in the US and the rest of the world.
Interestingly, the advice here from the Forestry Commission still says "..old CCA treated (tanalised) wood contains arsenic and should never be used as fuel." I guess if the wood is new then you are OK.

There is a lot of confusion about old pallets. My understanding is that they are kiln treated to prevent the spread of biological hazards as they are transported, but are not chemically treated because they are a limited life recyclable item.


Z

 

[spader]

Thanks Zingmo

Wood piles in my garden are the demolished old compost bin which was from previous owner of the house. Some of them have black liquid seeped into the wood, when split, smelling some type of oil. I thought it might be wood resin, but still have no clue what they are.

S.

 

[ProjeKtWEREWOLF]

I've just begun the process of breaking down a pine flatpack bookshelf (Wilkos jobbie) which I butchered to make SMALLER shelves for my daughter. Go figure.
I'm intending to use the wood as fuel for a small woodburning hobo stove (my first. It's horrible and REALLY ugly. The fuel hole is wonky and makes it look like it's screaming in anguish lol) . I was also a bit concerned regarding toxins/carcinogens but now I'm not going to be too worried. Cheers.

 

[santaman2000]

Thanks Zingmo

Wood piles in my garden are the demolished old compost bin which was from previous owner of the house. Some of them have black liquid seeped into the wood, when split, smelling some type of oil. I thought it might be wood resin, but still have no clue what they are.

S.

Creosote maybe?

 

[spader]

Creosote maybe?

Maybe - not sure at this time. But I will be just binning them all - certainly will not be burning these. Just was wondering what they might be.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Yeah sounds like it's been treated with creosote or tar like the old railway sleepers, toxic for both you & the enviroment.

 

[spader]

I have never imagined that creosote would be that toxic - in the 80s everyone was creosoting their fences and sheds.
I am glad that I came across these articles in google search, and got it confirmed in here. Thanks.

 

[santaman2000]

I more or less knew back in the 60s. No articles about it back then, but every time I or anybody else got it on us it burned like hell.

 

[spader]

The fumes would not be good for lungs and throats. I burned a few cut offs once, and my throat was a bit raw next morning - so I thought something not quite right with those woods, and did the google search. I have about 5x bucketful, and was going to burn them, but they will be thrown away into the landfill one by one as they are.

I more or less knew back in the 60s. No articles about it back then, but every time I or anybody else got it on us it burned like hell.

 

[santaman2000]

Yeah, we used to burn the old railway ties as bonfire fuel. Hideous black smoke.

 

[spandit]

That compost bin might have just been painted with old motor oil - it's black and does the job quite well, despite being horrible stuff

 

[Retired Member southey]

All wood smoke is bad for you, I never burn pallets though, not just because of what was used to treat them but also because of what could have been spilt on them,

 

[santaman2000]

Never thought of that! Now you'll have me lying awake nights.

 

[oldtimer]

I recently got rid of the old camping chopping board which I salvaged many years ago from buildng work when I realised that it was probably treated with something. Despite years of use, none of the family seem to have suffered any ill-effects, and we have never caught woodworm or dry rot.