contamination from rail road ties.

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appleseedspreader Joined: 6/07/2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1	Posted: Jun/07/2009 3:33 PM PST I was wondering if anybody knew anything relating to what I think is called creasote, leaked out of rail road ties. How far you need to pland eddibles away from them, or rather how far the contaminton spreads. Quote \| Reply \| Report

fschukar Joined: 7/08/2003 Location: West of Salem, OR on the W. edge of the Willamette Posts: 119	Posted: Jun/15/2009 4:50 PM PST There is a lot of controversy surrounding the use of railroad ties in gardens and in landscaping. The material itself is derived from breaking down coal in the absence of air. The black gooey substance is then infused under pressure into the ties. There appears to be very little research done in how it affects the human body. Its one of those things where it is suggested "don't use them in the garden" with no further explanation. I've used them for years to line my raised beds. I put heavy plastic alongside them to keep soil from coming in direct contact with them. I read a mention that root vegetables could take some of the material up if directly in contact with them. Apparently, though, aside from contact rashes and things of that nature, not much is known about residual affects (effects?). Google "railroad ties". Fritz Quote \| Reply \| Report

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appleseedspreader
Joined: 6/07/2009
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1

Posted: Jun/07/2009 3:33 PM PST

I was wondering if anybody knew anything relating to what I think is called creasote, leaked out of rail road ties. How far you need to pland eddibles away from them, or rather how far the contaminton spreads.

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fschukar
Joined: 7/08/2003
Location: West of Salem, OR on the W. edge of the Willamette
Posts: 119

Posted: Jun/15/2009 4:50 PM PST

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the use of railroad ties in gardens and in landscaping. The material itself is derived from breaking down coal in the absence of air. The black gooey substance is then infused under pressure into the ties.
There appears to be very little research done in how it affects the human body. Its one of those things where it is suggested "don't use them in the garden" with no further explanation.
I've used them for years to line my raised beds. I put heavy plastic alongside them to keep soil from coming in direct contact with them. I read a mention that root vegetables could take some of the material up if directly in contact with them. Apparently, though, aside from contact rashes and things of that nature, not much is known about residual affects (effects?).
Google "railroad ties".
Fritz

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