Creosote railroad ties disposal

Living in a house or cabin built with creosote treated. Leached chemicals can cause damage and injury, so its best to avoid the treated wood. Due to exposure to skin, inhalation and possible ingestion, the us epa does not approve creosotetreated wood for residential use. Final technical guide 146 guilde for handling, reuse, and. Creosote is the name used for a variety of products.

A waste may be a special waste because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or biological characteristics. Aug 23, 2018 creosote railroad ties are often readily available, so it seems like a natural choice for landscaping uses. The newer plantbased creosotes that they are using on the majority of railroad ties now are far less toxic then the creosote that used to be used on railroad ties that has caused the majority of the belief of their toxicity. Dimensional wood wastelumber is solid wood, lumber, or pallets. You can only burn creosotetreated wood wastes in a commercialindustrial. This section provides information about environmental rules that affect the recycling and disposal of used creosotetreated wood railway crossties. A diagram shows how used railroad ties can be treated to recover creosote and produce biofuel. How long does railroad tie contamination remain a risk in. I have someone who wants me to cut a bunch of treated timbers 6inch by 16inch creosotecovered fir into 2by4 and 2by6 stuff.

A new vegetable garden made of railroad ties and how i made the gate and put a fence around it. The epa also states that burial is an acceptable method of disposal. The city of calgary how to safely dispose of creosote. Can i dispose of creosote railroad ties at your landfills. Over 90% of railroad ties are made of wood and usually treated with preservatives.

Jun 03, 2009 according to waste age, million ties are in need of disposal every year in america. The dangers of treated railroad ties in landscaping. We treat our large southern yellow pine timbers to retentions as high as 25 pcf, appropriate for even saltwater submersion. Cancer cluster identified in houston neighborhood near union. You can only burn creosotetreated wood wastes in a commercial industrial. Creosotetreated ties endoflife evaluation railway tie. Donate to someone interested in reusing railroad ties in a landscaping project.

Creosote, made from coal, is used to treat wood to prevent the wood from rotting. Management of used treated wood products railway tie. Guidelines frequently asked landfill questions waste. Creosote wood preservatives are used primarily in the pressure treatment of railroad ties crossties about 70% of all creosote use and utility polescrossarms about 15 20% of all creosote use. Due to exposure to skin, inhalation and possible ingestion, the us epa does not approve creosote treated wood for residential use. Treated wood waste commonly comes from demolition sites. Railroad ties that are dualtreated with creosote and borate are not considered nhsm, and therefore are not permitted to be burned in boilers under this rule. Wear goggles and a face mask when sawing creosotetreated wood. Endoflife alternatives include recycling ties to produce useful energy, disposing ties in landfills, and legacy ties along the railroads rightofway.

If you need to saw the wood into smaller pieces for trash collection, extra precautions are needed to prevent inhaling the fumes or getting creosote in your eyes. The absence of dualtreated wood in this rule does not necessarily preclude suppliers from determining that dualtreated ties are nonwastes. Creosote was used for decades to treat wooden railroad ties in the yard. Crossties railroad recycling and disposal transportation. Our rigorously safe creosote wood disposal process protect the environment, people, and your good reputation. Take creosotetreated wood and railway ties to shepard landfill. Us epa reregistration eligibility decision for creosote. For this reason, it is advisable to avoid using railroad ties for landscaping in very wet or shallow ground water areas. But the chemicalladen wood can potentially cause issues for humans, animals, plants and the environment. Balancing the choice of toxic railroad ties for a garden. Railroad ties, utility poles, and pilings were once treated with this hazardous material. We do not discard cross ties containing creosote materials into landfills which ensures no. If recycling of your railroad ties is not an option, they should be. It is undisputed that the availability of solid waste disposal sites is becoming more limited.

There are no approved residential uses of creosote treated wood. Living in a house or cabin built with creosotetreated. Creosote is not used for treating wood thats typically used in a residential setting, however, it is common to find old railroad ties at homes that have been used for. The agency is aware that creosotetreated railroad ties are being used in the residential setting for landscape purposes and as a border around. Treated wood use, disposal and alternatives for businesses whw467 september 2010 page 2 pentachlorophenol pcp or penta commonly used for utility poles. Special waste is defined in title 30 texas administrative code 30 tac, chapter 330, section 330. Disposing of used wooden railroad ties properly is.

Treated wood use, disposal and alternatives for businesses. Included in this category are telephone poles, railroad ties and wooden pallets. Though wood treatment has ceased for many years, the creosote sunk deep into the ground, creating a plume that has moved. Disposal restrictions at king county solid waste facilities. We treat our large southern yellow pine timbers to retentions as.

Additionally, railroad ties and utility poles are routinely treated with creosote and. Creosote is a thickoily, black to amber colored liquid that is primarily applied to utility poles and railroad ties as a fungicide, insecticide, miticide, and sporicide to prevent. A friend of mine has about 5000 railroad ties,they are about 20 years old,most of the creosote is worn away. Using creosote treated wood for fences, gardens, landscaping, decks, and playscapes. The ties, which are manufactured from oaks and other hardwoods, are pressure treated with creosote, which, under the federal insecticide, fungicide, and rodenticide act fifra, is an approved registered pesticide for this purpose see. The agency is aware that creosote treated railroad ties are being used in the residential setting for landscape purposes and as a border around. However, it is still used in certain industries as a wood preservative for power line poles, railroad ties, cross arms, and fence posts. These products are mixtures of many chemicals created by hightemperature treatment of beech and other woods, coal, or from the resin of the creosote bush. Treated wood for residential use minnesota pollution. Due to the concentration of creosote and the cercla 40 cfr 302. Creosote is a wood preservative that has been used for a long time to treat. Creosote is not approved to treat wood for residential use, including landscaping timbers and garden borders.

Railroad ties have traditionally been made of creosote and pentachlorophenol treated wood. The reason the epa has made illegal the use of treated railroad ties in vegetable gardens is the fact that they are treated with coal tar creosote, a pesticide registered both with the epa and. The three most common utility pole disposal methods include landfills, incineration and recycling. One currently suggested disposal method for treated wood is in sanitary landfills. Creosote is a wood preservative that has been used for a long time to treat commercialgrade wood like utility poles and railroad ties. To obtain a permit, complete an online service request or contact 311. The preservatives give railroad ties a great degree of longevity, which makes them ideal for landscaping projects, but the chemicals present problems when it comes to disposal. Virginia facilities accepting creosote treated poles, pilings, and railroad ties blue ridge region facility name address phone number permit first piedmont corporation 1224 clarks mill road, ringgold 434 8226904 swp065 pittsylvania county landfill 382 rainbow lane, dryfork 434 4327710 swp571. Reason for citation creosote is on the hazardous substance list because it is cited by dot, dep, iarc, iris, nfpa and epa. Treated wood waste washington state department of ecology. How is the agency addressing other types of treated railroad ties under the nhsm rules.

To offer environmental consultants fully certified, safe, and highquality creosote wood disposal, we have. The most common preservatives are arsenic or creosote, which looks like a black goo. According to waste age, million ties are in need of disposal every year in america. Creosote treated wood should not be burned, since burning volatilizes hazardous chemicals in the smoke. Every year, national is responsible for diverting more than onehalf million tons of railroad ties from landfills. Although creosote pesticide products are not available to homeowners, individuals may encounter reused creosote treated wood in a residential setting e. Creosote, a preservative, makes railroad ties hazardous. Sep 09, 1991 creosote primarily consists of a mixture of pahs naphthalene and anthracene and phenolic compounds ocreosol, mcreosol, and pcreosol, phenol, and xylenols. Items marked caution, caustic, corrosive, danger, flammable, poison, volatile, or warning should be considered a hazardous waste product and proper disposal is required.

The poster mentioned plantbased creosote because it had been mentioned earlier and argued over in that forum. Creosote is most often found in railroad ties and utility poles, so most homeowners would not come in contact with creosote. Railroad ties removal and disposal effective november 1, 1994 revised october 1, 1995 this work shall consist of furnishing all labor, equipment and materials required for the removal and disposal off the right of way of the railroad ties at the location shown on the plans. The average useful life of a railroad tie is about 40 years. Transportation and logistics are both problems for the railroad in terms of tie disposal and reuse, he said. Virginia facilities accepting creosote treated poles, pilings. Railroad ties, utility poles, or materials that are treated with or otherwise contain creosote cannot be reused for other purposes such as landscaping or retaining walls, except as specifically provided for in title 25.

Using creosotetreated wood for fences, gardens, landscaping, decks, and playscapes. Bayou forest products is a leading supplier of creosote treated wood products. Less toxic although the following types of wood treatments are. Our welltrained sorting team grades the ties based on quality, reselling only the best. Due to the wood preservatives, it is not advisable to burn railroad ties yourself. For more information, please visit the following resources. Creosote waste products are wood materials treated with creosote that have since been removed from service and are awaiting disposal used railway ties, utility poles, etc. However, some have used old railroad ties and poles for landscaping purposes and now find themselves wondering how to dispose of it safely. Landfills according to the epa, even though it regulates creosote, pcp and cca, preservativetreated wood is not hazardous waste if it is disposed of in its originally intended state. Bayou forest products is a leading supplier of creosotetreated wood products.

Cancer cluster identified in houston neighborhood near. However, they must be permitted into each facility. Railroad ties and utility polespub196 missouri department of. Railroad ties can usually be disposed of in the same way as other solid waste, but you should be sure to check with your local county and municipal laws governing hazardous substances, as some places may not allow disposal of materials that may contain creosote or other toxic chemicals. Contact your countys waste disposal department for more information. Creosote ingredients used in pesticide products us epa. Proper tie disposal and reuse practices hinge on cradleto.

Creosote is a wood preservative pesticide used in outdoor settings such as in railroad ties and utility poles. Railroad ties are treated with chemical preservatives, such as creosote, which has advantages and disadvantages. Collect debris and used material in appropriate container for disposal. Special waste is a waste that requires special handling, trained people, andor special disposal methods. A railroad company will only be able to sell its railroad ties to other railroads for. Epa telephone pole disposal regulations legal beagle. Home living near areas contaminated with creosote, such as some superfund sites.

Prior to burning as a fuel, the crossties are shredded using heavyduty equipment that can process 20. To encourage proper disposal of this material, there are exemptions for managing this waste in the dangerous waste regulations. However, it is still used in certain industries as a wood preservative for power line. It is used in construction roofing, railroad and utilities industries, and for wood treatment and waterproofing.

Treated railroad ties and utility poles that are destined for disposal i. Yard trimmings leaves 19, grass clippings 18, stumps 20, brush 17, and other lawn and garden trimmings from homes, institutions, commercial or industrial sources. Creosote commonly used for railroad ties and construction pilings. It protects wood against termites, fungi, mites and other pests that can degrade or threaten the integrity of wood products. Extensive tclp testing of pentachlorophenol and creosote treated wood has conclusively demonstrated that these wood products are not a hazardous waste. Creosote wood preservatives are used primarily in the pressure treatment of railroad tiescrossties about 70% of all creosote use and utility polescrossarms about 15 20% of all creosote use. Leached chemicals can cause damage and injury, so its best to. I have someone who wants me to cut a bunch of treated timbers 6inch by 16inch creosote covered fir into 2by4 and 2by6 stuff. Handling railroad ties or treated poles for commercial landscaping and for use on farms and ranches. The reason the epa has made illegal the use of treated railroad ties in vegetable gardens is the fact that they are treated with coal tar creosote, a. Creosote, a tarlike substance, is most commonly used for railroad ties, utility poles, and pilings. May, 2017 some counties may have specific procedures for disposing of creosote treated wood. The newer the wood, the more chemicals are still present. Incinerate or dispose of in a permitted solid waste landfill.

Midwest companies sister company tienergy provides point of service removal of discarded railroad cross ties as environmentally consistent biomass material to cogeneration incineration plants. If homeowners need to dispose of creosotetreated wood, it can usually be. To encourage proper disposal of this material, there are exemptions for managing. Waste railroad ties and utility poles are considered regulated solid waste under. Virginia facilities accepting creosote treated poles. As the lower mainlands environmental remediation experts, we take creosote lumber and railroad tie disposal seriously. Creosote primarily consists of a mixture of pahs naphthalene and anthracene and phenolic compounds ocreosol, mcreosol, and pcreosol, phenol, and xylenols. Creosote railroad ties are often readily available, so it seems like a natural choice for landscaping uses. Creosote is a treament that is appropriate for many industrial applications, including railroads, bridges, and marine use. Painter, who has more than 30 years of railroad experience, said that transportation and logistics are just part of the daily work that has to be done on a railroad. I am a contractor working on renovation of a railroad or utility. Creosote is a yellowish to dark brown, oily liquid which is produced from heating and separation of coal tar. An august 21, 2015 letter from the treated wood council requested that the agency move forward quickly regarding a categorical nonwaste determination on creosote borate, copper naphtenate, and copper naphtenateborate treated railroad ties.