Replies

1. 
   jmgalvin | Mar 08, 2005 06:41am | #1

   I stay away from them, they are fine for train tracks but for a deck no way.

   If they are old ties they will look fine but they rot from the inside out.

    

   Jim-->A railroader

2. 
   drhamel | Mar 08, 2005 06:41am | #2

   Creosote is a carcinogen and can cause skin burns (I have the scars).

   Light reading:

   Health effects:

   The International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined that coal tar creosote is probably carcinogenic to humans. EPA has determined that coal tar creosote is probably a human carcinogen, and that coal tar pitch is a human carcinogen; it classified coal tar creosote as a carcinogen in the 1992 Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Skin cancer and cancer of the scrotum have resulted from long exposure to low levels of these chemical mixtures, especially through direct contact with skin during wood treatment or manufacture of coal tar creosote-treated products, or in coke or natural gas factories. Cancer of the scrotum in chimney sweeps has been associated particularly with prolonged skin exposure to soot and coal tar creosote. Eating food or drinking water contaminated with a high level of creosotes may cause a burning in the mouth and throat, as well as stomach pains. Brief exposure to large amounts of coal tar creosote may result in a rash or severe irritation of the skin, chemical burns of the surfaces of the eye, convulsions, mental confusion, kidney or liver problems, unconsciousness, or even death. Longer exposure to lower levels of coal tar creosote, coal tar, or coal tar pitch by direct contact with skin or by exposure to the vapors from these mixtures can also result in sun sensitivity and cause damage to skin, such as reddening, blistering, or peeling. Longer exposures to the vapors of the creosotes, coal tar, or coal tar pitch can also cause irritation of the respiratory tract.

   http://www.nsc.org/library/chemical/Creosote.htm

    

   Formerly just 'Don' but not the 'Glassmaster Don' or the lower-case 'don'.
3. 
   DennisS | Mar 08, 2005 06:45am | #3

   Good God no!

   You "mill" RR ties with a chain saw. And figure on going through several chains in the process.

   Retaing walls, planters and that sort of thing, Decks, no!!

   ...........
   From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
   Dennis
1. 
   jones | Mar 08, 2005 03:58pm | #4

   I'll take that as a great big "negative ghostrider" on that plan.

4. 
   frenchy | Mar 08, 2005 09:14pm | #5

   If you go to your local sawmill chances are they make and sell railroad ties already (if they are decent sized.  (precreosoted)  My local  sawmill gets about 8 bucks for them (there are actually 4 differant sizes)   most are between 9 and 91/2 feet long and they could be 8x9 or 9x9 or 9x10 or 10x10 {I think}