[vegmandan]

I've just heard that you should never use treated timber in the construction of raised beds for veg growing.

Apparently the preservative can leach into the soil and be harmful to you.

I've had pressure treated wood raised beds for years as there doesn't seem to be any alternative,if you use untreated wood it rots away in a couple of years.

What does anyone think,is it just more scaremongering ? :?

[Aidy]

There was a link to cancer with some of the old preservatives, the new ones they now use are safe. depends how old it is, I will try and find the link with the info for you.

[Aidy]

here is one...

http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/47-18.htm

[vegmandan]

Cheers for that link , I thought as much.

I'm not going to lose any sleep about "A very low risk" as I sit here smoking and drinking

I would imagine the benefits of growing your own healthy veg probably counteracts any minimal risks any way.

Cheers....  

[Trillium]

I think the greater danger was handling the treated wood without gloves on - direct contact with the arsenic used in the treatment. And breathing in the dust as the wood was cut, not to mention getting the dust in your eyes.

[Big Jen]

What about old railway sleepers that have probably been treated with creasote? Is that dangerous?
BJ

[shaun]

What about old railway sleepers that have probably been treated with creasote? Is that dangerous?
BJ

bitumen

[Trillium]

Older ones would likely have leached out most of their 'stuff' already, and be starting to rot down, as mine are.  Mine are about 40 yrs old and falling to pieces so they're getting replaced with cinder blocks on flattened crushed gravel base. Isn't pretty this year but next year I'll 'pretty' them up and they'll last almost forever.