Re-Purposing Pallets

Just received this in an email from Andy's EZwoodshop. Just reposting it here for your consideration.

Ever build something from a wood pallet? I remember all the buzz about pallet furniture from a couple years ago, but apparently it’s still going strong today, especially with some of the newer photo sharing sites like Pinterest. I’ve seen everything from pallet tables, pallet chairs, pallet beds, and even pallet kids’ toys. Truth is I have very mixed feelings about the fad. As interesting as some of the projects are, I doubt I will ever build furniture from a wood pallet. Here’s why.
So What’s the Problem with Pallets?
Everything from soda pop to cyanide gets shipped on pallets. And because pallets are repaired and resold (many times over), it’s nearly impossible to know what a recycled pallet has been used for during its lifetime. More often than not, a wood pallet does have bacteria and other contaminants lurking under the surface. For those who aren’t up to date on the subject, here are a few things to consider before bringing pallet furniture into your home.
Bacteria in Wood Pallets
Do you recall a couple years ago when wood pallets made national news? Twenty people from Michigan, Ohio, and New York ended up in the hospital after eating lettuce infected with E.coli. Where did the E.coli come from? You guessed it—wood shipping pallets. Of course, this discovery opened a fresh can of worms for the FDA, who had always let the shipping pallet industry operate freely without regulation. After the big lettuce recall (in 23 different states), the FDA quickly put forth a set of food-safety guidelines for shippers, but no laws to actually enforce them.
Fungicides in Wood Pallets
A lot of wood pallets are treated with pesticides and fungicides before they leave the assembly line. That’s because insects and mold love to hide in the grain of the wood, which is a big problem for companies that ship things around the world (ever hear of Dutch Elm disease?). These chemicals can’t be removed (or easily covered for that matter), and can continue to release toxins in the air for years to come. As a result, treated pallets are a bad choice for any kind of project you might want to keep in the house.

Cleaning Recycled Pallets
If you’re confident you’ve found a wood pallet that’s free of bacteria (as free as it can be anyway) and doesn’t appear to be treated with fungicides, it’s still a good idea to scrub the pallet down with bleach and soapy water. Keep in mind that bacteria might still be embedded in the grain even after a thorough cleaning. That means wood from a pallet should never come in contact with food, children’s toys, or children’s furniture, regardless of how well you clean the surface.
Working with Recycled Pallets
Pallets are usually riddled with nails, splinters, and other sharp edges that make working with the material especially hazardous. Plus, the dust created from cutting or sanding a pallet treated with fungicides and/or pesticides can be extremely toxic. Always use the following safety precautions when working with recycled pallets:
> Wear gloves to avoid splinters, cuts and punctures.
> Wear safety glasses to keep stuff out of your eyes.
> Wear a dust mask to keep fungicides out of your lungs.
Be safe in the shop!
Andy

-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!