Can you burn telephone pole wood?

Yes, they can, but it might not be desirable. Power poles are generally treated in some manner to prevent rot and seal them against exposure to the elements. Creosote is one commonly used treatment. These various treatments often produce noxious fumes when burned.

Are telephone poles coated?

Chemical treating of wood poles is one of the last remaining uses of penta and creosote – 43\% of all poles are treated with penta; 42\% of all poles are treated with arsenic; and 13\% are still treated with creosote. The use of penta is prohibited in 26 countries around the world, but not in the United States.

What is a telephone pole soaked in?

About half the wood poles in the US are treated with pentachlorophenol, known as “penta” in the trade.

What can you do with old phone poles?

As a last resort, you can send wood poles to a landfill. Preserved wood is not considered hazardous waste and can be disposed of normally into an approved landfill. Review the following for additional information on disposal of preserved wood and poles.

What kind of wood are telephones made of?

Most poles are made from southern yellow pine, Douglas fir or western red cedar, though other conifers are also used. According to the North American Wood Poles Council, only 7 percent of the trees in a typical plantation will have the length, straightness, taper and other characteristics necessary for a utility pole.

Do telephone poles have creosote in them?

In most cases, the poles, soaked in wood preservatives, are placed adjacent to property lines, or in backyards, front yards and playgrounds. The utility or telephone poles coated with a dark brown or oily substance –penta or creosote– give off a petroleum odor.

Is creosote banned?

Consumer use of creosote has been banned since 2003. Creosote is a carcinogen at any level, and there are significant environmental risks when wood treated with creosote comes into direct contact with soil or water.

Why do telephone poles have tar?

It is forced into the pole under pressure, and is a preservative. It protects the pole from rotting and insect damage.

Does creosote burn skin?

* Creosote can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Creosote should be handled as a CARCINOGEN–WITH EXTREME CAUTION. * Skin contact can cause irritation, burning, redness, rash and itching, which is made worse by exposure to sunlight. * Repeated exposure can cause changes in skin pigment.

Is a telegraph pole made from hardwood or softwood?

These hardwood poles are a very strong timber with lengths upto 6m available for UK wide delivery.

Can you still buy real creosote?

Traditional Creosote can only be sold to Professional Users. However, the product is still available for sale to trades-people. This means the traditional user such as the agricultural community, builders, etc. are still able to purchase Coal Tar Creosote, providing they do not resell to the general householder.

What is the life expectancy of a telephone pole?

What is the life expectancy of a telephone pole. The average life expectancy for a wood pole varies, depending on location, from 30 to 40 years. This useful life of a pole may be shortened due to several factors. One of the most common problems associated with wood utility poles is decay of the wood.

What type of wood is used for telephone poles?

Pole materials. Southern yellow pine is the most widely used species in the United States; however, many species of long straight trees are used to make utility poles, including Douglas fir, jack pine, lodgepole pine, western red cedar, and Pacific silver fir .

What are the wires for on telephone poles?

Usually,the top 3 wires – which are called primary conductors – carry most of the electricity on the pole.

How many telephone poles are there in US?

According to Utility Products Wood Utility Poles and Preservative Choices, there are some 160 to 180 million wood utility poles in service in the US.

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