The truth about Heat Treated Pallets

**craftedbyethan** · 07-31-2012, 10:54 AM

This is an entry from my blog: Pallet Craft!

Hello Readers!

I have been writing to this blog for the past few weeks to share my endeavors with pallet woodworking, and over that time I have seen my blog grow exponentially. This is definitely an exciting time for me as I get to share all of these experiences with more and more of you, however, it has been received with some mixed reviews as well.

I have had several readers express that they are wary of pallets and their use in woodworking. When I dug a little deeper into the vast array of internet forums and discussion boards, I uncovered there to be quite a number of opinions, fears, and some confusion. Most of the hysteria was centered on how pallets are perceived to be a hazard to health and unsuitable but for the garbage. So I have decided to set this record straight the best way I know of… by blogging! The following are laws and regulations that are in place in the U.S. and abroad.

1. Pallets being shipped internationally must be treated to prevent insect invasion and transcontinental contamination.

2. Pallets in the USA are regulated by the USDA with two organizations handling different types of treatment. (ALSC manages heat treatment)

3. Heat Treatment is an acceptable solution to this (simple chamber heating to 56 degrees Celsius for a minimum 30 minutes).

4. All pallets must be marked (and I have yet to find one unmarked) with the type of treatment used. Pallets without mark will not be allowed through customs or be shipped.

It is by these reasons that I say heat treated pallets are in fact safe for use. Yes, chemically treated pallets do still exist (managed by NWPCA), and you should use precautions when dealing with any wood type (glasses for eye irritation, respirators for dust inhalation), but this is not to say that you should not use any of them in your own woodworking.

For more, check out more of Pallet Craft! The safe, recycling solution.

**Ironman50** · 07-31-2012, 01:30 PM

Good post. Thank you for the correct information regarding the matter. Your work is an endeavor to help the environment through recycling. Best of luck!

**craftedbyethan** · 08-01-2012, 11:25 AM

I am glad you enjoyed reading! Thanks!

**Fishinbo** · 08-06-2012, 04:37 PM

Good post. I am understanding pallets more and more through your posts.

**AndyD** · 08-15-2012, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by craftedbyethan

It is by these reasons that I say heat treated pallets are in fact safe for use.

I'm with you that some of the fears people have about using wood pallets might be overblown, but how pallets are treated for insects is only one of the issues that need to be addressed. Because a pallet is often sold, repaired, and then sold again many times over during its lifetime, I would think it might be hard to know where an old recycled pallet has been, and what it has been used for. I've read that federal regulation of the pallet industry is kind of weak, so I wonder if there's any way for us to know exactly if that recycled pallet we just picked up was used to haul soda pop...or cyanide. Stuff does leak sometimes.

**MagGeorge** · 08-16-2012, 02:26 PM

I read in one of the forum sites that it does actually leak! I find pallet use to be very interesting. I saw many works of it and it didn’t even look like they came from a pallet. However, abundant caution must be had in choosing what pallet to use.

**BernieL** · 08-19-2012, 12:04 AM

I'm a retired Teamster driver and spent 30 years on the local aspect of driving. First, let me tell you I've seen some amazing projects built with pallet wood.

I want to fill you in on details Andy mentioned about the non insect issues. Crafted covered the insect issue quite well.

I was a driver with multiple endorsement including HM (hazardous materials). As a driver for an international carrier, I was retrained every 2 years in the handling of HMs. This included detail instructions on the wring of HM bill of ladings so all 1st responders could deal with any spills. I once transported a 10 lb poisonous gas container that could have killed everybody in a major sports arena. This means I had Home Land Security clearance for my job level.

I knew how to handle all kinds of hazardous spills and this training instructed me how to handle the containers that held the hazardous materials. Transporting the containers are required by law to have a LST clause in the bill of lading (last said to contain).

No laws require any company or driver to state what was spilled on the pallets last said to contain any type of leaky containers. These pallets are thrown into piles to be reused.

So if you wish to use pallet wood in your projects, I want you to be aware of this danger. Do wear breathing protection and consider the danger if you wish to use the wood near the kitchen etc.

I will never use pallet wood but if you wish to use this free wood, be aware of the dangers and protect yourself.

**AndyD** · 08-23-2012, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by BernieL

No laws require any company or driver to state what was spilled on the pallets last said to contain any type of leaky containers. These pallets are thrown into piles to be reused.

Thanks for clarifying, BernieL.
Not trying to spoil the fun for everyone, I just think it's important to know the facts. I suppose it's possible to obtain pallets with a reasonably clean history, or buy them new for that matter, but then that sort of takes away the "eco" part of building from recyled materials.

**Terry04Messer** · 08-24-2012, 12:55 PM

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