Creosote railroad ties for landscaping - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Fozzie_DeBear · 05-18-2009, 09:54 PM

Hi CP'ers

I have a question for you all. We have a raised flowerbed made with older (10+ year old) creosote treated railroad ties. I've read that creosote is nasty stuff but as long as you don't eat it or bathe in the stuff the risk is minimal.

Now we also have a toddler running around, and I don't want her to be exposed to anything nasty.

Should I consider ripping them out...or do you think they are ok as long as she (or I) doesn't chew on them?

CaptainCraig · 05-18-2009, 10:10 PM

I am a railroader and can personally say the stuff is nasty and is something you don't want your toddler exposed to. We had a bunkhouse that used the ties as the foundation and they where ripped out for health reasons. Plus I have noticed golf courses don't use them as much as they use to. Not sure if that is related.

BlackArcher101 · 05-18-2009, 10:34 PM

Remove them no questions asked. Toddlers will put anything in their mouth, including their own hands after crawling around on them.

Jedi Ninja · 05-18-2009, 10:39 PM

Might want to consider getting rid of the dirt as well as the creosote may have leached; I'm sure my son ate a couple of pounds of it (dirt) during his toddlerhood.

killer_carlson · 05-18-2009, 11:11 PM

I'd pull them out. For the one days work to pull them out (and the dirt as well...good suggestion), it is well worth the peace of mind that would come with it.

In addition, you may want to pull them out while wearing your bathrobe and slippers...

FlamesAddiction · 05-18-2009, 11:27 PM

Ya, it's really awful stuff.

I was doing a contaminated site investigation last year where groundwater was above regulations for drinking water standards. We ended up excavating and discovered a few creosote ties were burried in an isolated location. The contaminants created a pretty big plume.

Shazam · 05-18-2009, 11:54 PM

I think you should keep them in. See what kind of superpowers your kids may get from exposure to them.

Ducay · 05-19-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shazam

I think you should keep them in. See what kind of superpowers your kids may get from exposure to them.

Cancer

Fozzie_DeBear · 05-19-2009, 08:59 AM

Thanks guys I was considering pulling them out...but the prospect of superpowers? Now I'm going to grind up the ties and mix 'em into her Cheerios. Thanks Shazam!

burn_this_city · 05-19-2009, 09:48 AM

They smell sooo good.. Easily the third best smell behind diesel and gasoline.

SportsJunky · 05-19-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shazam

I think you should keep them in. See what kind of superpowers your kids may get from exposure to them.

Flame on!

Bring_Back_Shantz · 05-19-2009, 10:00 AM

Just a heads up, you should look into where you can get rid of the ties/dirt once you've dug them up.
You can't just take that stuff to the dump.

Shazam · 05-19-2009, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

Thanks guys I was considering pulling them out...but the prospect of superpowers? Now I'm going to grind up the ties and mix 'em into her Cheerios. Thanks Shazam!

Just remember the old saying:

If the creosote glows blue, that'll do. If it be red, they be dead!

Fozzie_DeBear · 05-19-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

In addition, you may want to pull them out while wearing your bathrobe and slippers...

Some people wear Carhartt to the jobsite others prefer Terrycloth...what's your point?