I've been given some reclaimed railway sleepers, which I was going to use to build some raised beds for growing veg. However some internet reaserach has suggested that the creosote presvative used on railway sleepers can be harmful. Will these sleepers kill me?
Probably
[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/retaining-soil-behind-sleepers-do-i-need-a-plastic-liner-of-some-sort#post-7703043 ]linky[/url]
My grandfather 'reclaimed' * some railway sleepers in the late 1940s, used them to build a wall to support a lean to against a shed.
They are still there.
Not sure id want food growing next to them tbh.
* stole
i would not use them for growing things i planned to eat
they stink and in hot weather every time you go near them you'll ruin whatever you're wearing permanently.
I wouldn't
If you line them with a waterproof membrane they'd be fine. Still horrible manky things though.
You can get new ones for less than decent reclaimed ones.
That way you can get untreated ones if you are worried. If you use any modern outdoor timber it will be tanalised and that isn't as unpleasant as creo but still wouldn't eat dinner off it. On the bright side train toilets wont have been emptied on it..
You can also get untreated reclaimed railway sleepers. I bought a load to build a wall at £20 per 2.4m length without a sniff of creosote... The company I used who deliver are KGJ Price Railways
highly carcinogenic I suspect.
Even modern timber treated for ground contact is treated with chemicals you do not want to be consuming. CCA, ACQ etc
google:
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that coal tar is carcinogenic to humans and that creosote is probably carcinogenic to humans. EPA has also determined that coal tar creosote is a probable human carcinogen
i got some, then found out about the creosote, so got rid
Avoid
If your anywhere between Derby and Lemington Spa area Grangewood Fencing have new tanalised sleepers 2.4m long at £11.50 reduced from £19.50 each
They are great just built 3 large veg beds with them, far cheaper than anywhere else I found
http://www.grangewoodfencing.com/product/new-railway-sleepers-200mmx100mm
Think they deliver anywhere around the Birmingham to Derbyshire area
You'll be fine