Carving with pressure-treated poles.

I've been snooping around a little bit, trying to find some information on what poles are good to carve into and what are not so good.
Here in the UK, trying to find decent wood is difficult. Telegraph poles are fairly easy to come across but are nasty and toxic. Pressure-treated poles have been around for a while and seemed to be a good alternative until someone pointed out that they are treated with arsenic and that they can leach. Not good, once again.
Continuing the search, I found a company here in the UK that reclaims telegraph poles and railway sleepers for construction use, and they are selling NEW poles that are 'ACQ' treated. This was a new phrase on me, so I did some more snooping around and found some very encouraging information.
I'll include some links at the end of this post but basically 'ACQ' is a modern safer version of the old pressure treated wood treatments. It is safe to be handled and is even recommended for children's play areas. I found one quote that said it is safe for food preparation areas.
It doesn't contain arsenic or chromium and is easily painted or stained. Left out in the elements, it will weather and colour as normal wood. It has even won some Green Chemistry awards.
Have a look at these links.
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/lumber.html

http://www.powernail.com/acq-treated-lumber.htm

http://www.treatedwood.com/products/preserve/

http://www.kilgraney.com/KFtelegraphpoles.htm#newtelegraph

I haven't bought any of this wood yet, but when I do I'll post back and let you know.

[ Edited by: Artiki on 2004-08-12 05:52 ]

Well if you use chisels only I'm sure it may be OK. I just can't be comfortable sanding wood that has been treated for insects and rot. I already had 1 bad experience carving a light pole that made me pretty sick and dont want that again

You sure need to take precautions if you are making any form of dust, wearing a respirator for example, but I do that when using any wood, treated or not.
I did the research and posted the findings here because I was unsure myself - as an amateur carver - what was safe or not. Previous posts on this board have stated that pressure treated poles are treated with arsenic, and whilst that was the case once, health and safety organisations on both sides of the Atlantic are phasing these out.
I would love to be using fresh palm wood but it's just soooo difficult to come by over here, we have to make do with what we can.
I certainly agree with what you are saying though.

Well, I guess the sawdust didn't kill 'em.

Take a bow, Artiki!

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