Thread: pallet Wood

I looked into this a while back and couldn't find any all encompassing definitive answers, beyond it depends in part where the pallet comes from as imported pallets have to comply with Australian quarantine standards What is ISPM 15 and Why Importers Should Be Aware Of It which will be either fumigation with methyl bromide or heat treatment. Google 'health risks of methyl bromide' to cheer yourself up on short and long term effects.

What Treatments are Involved in ISPM 15?

Currently, ISPM 15 recognises two types of treatment measures for timber packaging materials—fumigation and heat treatment.

Fumigation

Methyl bromide fumigation is the less common treatment measure for wood packaging materials. When a timber has been treated using this method, it will bear an IPPC mark with the initials ‘MB’. Fumigation is the ideal option for last minute treatments (in the country where the material originated, during transit or in the port of the destination country). It is also a good treatment method for especially complex or large wood packaging materials which cannot practically or easily fit inside a chamber with the right heat temperature.

Heat Treatment

The most common method that many packaging manufacturers use to meet ISPM 15 regulations is heat treatment. The timber must be heat treated to a core temperature of 133°F (56°C) for 30 minutes. It is certified to be ISPM 15-compliant with the HT lumber grade stamp on it.
Everything You Need To Know About ISPM 15 Regulations | Aussie Crates

Pallets might also have other treatments to comply with quarantine, export or manufacturing requirements elsewhere. But that doesn't mean that pallets for use within Australia haven't been treated in some way.


Short answer is: Could be treated with anything, but unless it bears some internationally recognised stamp to identify a treatment there's still the chance it's been treated with unknown chemicals.

If you're wearing a mask to stop the dust... it shouldn't matter what chems the wood is soaked in.

I was thinking of using the wood from pallets – the thinner pieces – to line the walls on an old hut I’ll be using as a weekender.

Your comments initially made me think twice about doing that. But perhaps it’s no worse than having an asbestos roof, fence, or ceiling. So long as it's left alone and in a stable situation there’s no problem with it.

Originally Posted by ErrolFlynn

I was thinking of using the wood from pallets – the thinner pieces – to line the walls on an old hut I’ll be using as a weekender.

Your comments initially made me think twice about doing that. But perhaps it’s no worse than having an asbestos roof, fence, or ceiling. So long as it's left alone and in a stable situation there’s no problem with it.

Dunno.

On the face of it you'd think it would be safe enough as long as it's not outgassing indoors, but it's not just what the wood's been treated with but what's been on it and where it's been that introduce major unknowns about the presence of other chemicals from leaking loads, bacteria, and bugs etc.

It would be best if you could source it from a place which can assure you that it's been only heat treated; had only clean loads on it; and has come direct to that source from the docks or an Australian maker.

Probably right.

I grabbed a couple of pallets. They are often advertised for free. Commonly done. They were in lovely condition. I understand why jefaldow wants to use them. Mine had been lying around at home for a while and I repurposed them. I cut them up and used the pieces for something else.

It was then the notion of using them as cladding came to mind. However, another issue with that is that the advantage of being free may be countered by the petrol cost of picking them up.

check out this guy.... Trailer - Pallet Punter - YouTube he is a queenslander and mad as a cut snake but has been doing this for some time.

I use clean pallets, with the HT marking, sourced from places where it is less likely to have been contaminated such camping suppliers.

Pallet horse That I had posted on the forum some time ago.

Originally Posted by 419

It will be either fumigation with methyl bromide or heat treatment.

Wiki shows this for methyl bromide: Bromomethane - Wikipedia As you note, the health issues from exposure to this chemical are severe. Presumably, when used as a fumigant the chemical penetrates the wood. If so, it might remain there for long periods. That being the case, machining the wood might release it.

Originally Posted by ErrolFlynn

Wiki shows this for methyl bromide: Bromomethane - Wikipedia As you note, the health issues from exposure to this chemical are severe. Presumably, when used as a fumigant the chemical penetrates the wood. If so, it might remain there for long periods. That being the case, machining the wood might release it.

Contributions by other members in this thread on resawing old red gum Chances of old house stumps and fence posts being treated with chemicals? illustrate that I doubt many or any of us have any real idea what we're working with when resawing or otherwise working with recycled timbers.

Originally Posted by Tonyz

check out this guy.... Trailer - Pallet Punter - YouTube he is a queenslander and mad as a cut snake but has been doing this for some time.

Thanks for that link. Led me to this video of his where he explains that methyl bromide treatment evaporates when the timber is returned to room temperature after treatment, so there's no residue. Also covers the possibility that the heat treatment marks on a pallet don't necessarily mean the pallet hasn't been treated with methyl bromide as part of goods in a larger container.

I spoke to the EXPERT putting Methyl Bromide on our PALLETS!!! - YouTube

He also mentions methyl bromide being used on some fruits, which reminded me that when I was working as a railway shunter in the late 1960s we had sealed trucks with, I think, oranges in them that had been treated with, I think, methyl bromide and strong warnings not to go near a leaking truck and never, ever enter one. I guess lots of people ate those oranges without ill effects.

Originally Posted by 419

Contributions by other members in this thread on resawing old red gum Chances of old house stumps and fence posts being treated with chemicals? illustrate that I doubt many or any of us have any real idea what we're working with when resawing or otherwise working with recycled timbers.

... not only recycled timbers!

Every imported log, billet, board, or processed wood item from toothpicks, veneer, finished items etc including dunnage, crates, pallets, shoring .... must meet Australia's quarantine regulations which include "approved treatments." Are they the only treatments or chemicals / harmful substances the wood or wood products have been exposed to?

Given the recent interest in the review of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation 2012 the timber industry is not squeaky clean and other illegal activities have been concealed in the timber trade - Timber once used to conceal 150kg of imported drugs donated to woodworkers - ABC News

Originally Posted by Mobyturns

... not only recycled timbers!

Every imported log, billet, board, or processed wood item from toothpicks, veneer, finished items etc including dunnage, crates, pallets, shoring .... must meet Australia's quarantine regulations which include "approved treatments." Are they the only treatments or chemicals / harmful substances the wood or wood products have been exposed to?

Given the recent interest in the review of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation 2012 the timber industry is not squeaky clean and other illegal activities have been concealed in the timber trade - Timber once used to conceal 150kg of imported drugs donated to woodworkers - ABC News

As an aside to this topic, I contacted a lady selling white painted Silky Oak on FB Marketplace and asked her if it was lead paint on them. She said she had no idea and didn't care. I suggested to her that she should test it as she could have liability knowingly selling a known carcinogen.
Rgds,
Crocy.

Caveat emptor.

Pallet wood seems to be en-vogue. I had my go with it about fifteen years ago. Made a small body guitar completely out of dunnage. That was enough for me. The stuff is full of spiral shank nails with left over barbs from the nail guns along with rocks, sand, and such nasties that put a beating on my tools. It was just so much work to do anything but rough work with it.