Hi all,

I have a question regarding the use of railway sleepers indoors (the type they sell in Bunnings)

I have had a thought about re-doing an internal staircase (only 4 rises) leading down to my lounge using railways sleepers. The staircae has to be replaced anyway becasue it is too steep. My idea is that I would plane the tops of the treads back to a clean finish and leave the front and risers natural.

I remember reading a while ago about problems with using sleepers due the treatment they could have received when in use (arsenic?). Can someone please provide me with more information on this. If there is some official info that would be great.

Do Bunnings not have to let you know if there are any potentially hazardous chemicals that you may be exposed to? Is there any way of testing the timber yourself to see if it is dangerous (apart from licking it and seeing what happens!!)

If it is the case there there may be some arsenic present, is there any way of treating it or sealing it in to prevent any toxins from getting out.

As you can tell, I would really like to use them!

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Richard


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