The trend of upcycling wooden pallets is incredibly popular right now. I’ve seen many photos on blogs of DIY projects where they have been changed into coffee tables, chicken coops, beds etc. I am a firm believer in upcycling, however I’m a little wary of using wood pallets; here are a few reasons why:
- Testing reports that 10-50% contain pathogens such as E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella and/or Enterobacter. (National Consumers League and PRNewswire)
- They are heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide, a lethal and highly regulated gas. This must happen before pallets are to be moved across border because they are susceptible to insect infestation. (Pallet Enterprise)
- Pallets made of wood composite may contain Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. (Truth About Pallets)
If you still would like to use pallets for a DIY project, which I advise against, first dissemble, thoroughly wash with a non-toxic cleaner such as vinegar and water, Benefect or PureGreen24; then plane or sand the wood to get rid of any germs and splinters. If you do decide to go this route, you definitely do not want to breathe in the sawdust, so make sure to cover your mouth and nose and wear safety glasses and gloves.
[...] Apparently, upcycling pallets was all the rage a while back. Seems I’m behind the trend. Oh well. Here are some instructions on pallet wood here, and here YouTube video explaining working around existing nails etc and a warning about using pallet wood here. [...]