Reclaimed railway sleepers

[Nikki76]

Hi I’m not sure I’m posting in the right forum but looking for advice. I have old sleepers in the garden left by previous owners. We moved in 2006. I’ve recently read that they can contain creosote and other chemicals. I’m really anxious as my children grew up in the garden, I’ve swept them, they have been sat on etc etc. I’m so so worried, can anyone have a look at them and have any advice please ?

 

[43066]

Hi I’m not sure I’m posting in the right forum but looking for advice. I have old sleepers in the garden left by previous owners. We moved in 2006. I’ve recently read that they can contain creosote and other chemicals. I’m really anxious as my children grew up in the garden, I’ve swept them, they have been sat on etc etc. I’m so so worried, can anyone have a look at them and have any advice please ?

Not sure why they’d be any more dangerous than other treated wood such as decking?

 

[Nikki76]

Not sure why they’d be any more dangerous than other treated wood such as decking?

Creosote was banned in 2003 as it can be carcinogenic. You are not allowed to use old railway sleepers as seating or children’s play areas now. I’m just worried as I didn’t know this years ago.

 

[StoneRoad]

So, just to clarify, those sleepers have been there since before 2006 ?

In my opinion, they look very well weathered ... are they actually rotting ?

e2a - @Nikki76 - I really would not worry about it.

 

[simonw]

Hi I’m not sure I’m posting in the right forum but looking for advice. I have old sleepers in the garden left by previous owners. We moved in 2006. I’ve recently read that they can contain creosote and other chemicals. I’m really anxious as my children grew up in the garden, I’ve swept them, they have been sat on etc etc. I’m so so worried, can anyone have a look at them and have any advice please ?

You are right that creosote is thought to be carcinogenic, but it is still available for use - new telegraph poles are springing up in a number of areas to feed fibre internet into homes. I think you would get far more creosote on your skin touching a recently installed telegraph pope than you ever would from those sleepers, assuming they have always looked similar to.your pictures.

Those sleepers look very old, and weathered and rotting. The chances of your children absorbing high levels of creosote seems very low.

Personally, I would try not worry about it esp as I as there is little or nothing you can do now.

 

[Nikki76]

So, just to clarify, those sleepers have been there since before 2006 ?

In my opinion, they look very well weathered ... are they actually rotting ?

e2a - @Nikki76 - I really would not worry about it.

Yes the earliest they could have been put in is 2003. I think some of them are rotting now yes. Bits of them flake off occasionally. Thankyou I appreciate that

You are right that creosote is thought to be carcinogenic, but it is still available for use - new telegraph poles are springing up in a number of areas to feed fibre internet into homes. I think you would get far more creosote on your skin touching a recently installed telegraph pope than you ever would from those sleepers, assuming they have always looked similar to.your pictures.

Those sleepers look very old, and weathered and rotting. The chances of your children absorbing high levels of creosote seems very low.

Personally, I would try not worry about it esp as I as there is little or nothing you can do now.