[Sca-cooks] Need advice/suggestion for counter top

[Mark Hendershott]

At 10:18 AM 4/1/2006, you wrote:

>-----Original Message-----
>* * * * Lyse: There has been a study that wood is better then plastic in
>germ
>prevention. When I have time and remember, I'll look for the info. * * * * *
>
><<SNIP>>>
>  Lyse: The question is, are they food safe? What chemicals if any have been
>used on them or that they have been exposed too? Somewhat like landscaping
>wood/rails and railroad ties. They contain some chemical (formaldehyde?)
>that leeches into the soil over time and therefore is not recommended
>for use in edible box gardens.  * * * * *
>
>
>Studies have really gone back and forth for a couple of deciades as have
>county/state health codes around the country. There really is a conflicting
>body of reserach, hense the reference to the various orthodoxy out there.
>One's canon is another's heresy in this topic.
>
>As to question of safety, the material in railroad ties is creosote at
>least,
>and maybe others.  This material is not present in boxcar flooring that I
>use.
>The question as I present it is not whether it is foodsafe or not, but
>rather what needs to be done to assure its food safety.  Certainly one
>needs sand down beyond gouges and obvious soiling.  After, heavy synthetic
>finish will be good for the more cautious . . . those who examine the wood
>and find it suitable will go with less intense measures.  Mine will be
>finished to hav ethe weathered, yet clean look, and have durable, food-
>safe finish applied to seal the wood and protect food products.
>
>
>niccolo difrancesco
>(I don't cut meat on railroad ties . . . I prefer my tar, aldehydes
>and other and naval stores to come from buring compressed, charred
>sawdust/sand chunks.  Get more flavor that way)
>
Around here the stuff labeled "car decking" is usually 2 x 6 tongue 
and groove douglas fir.  Good stuff for some uses but not for cutting boards.

Simon Sinneghe
Briaroak, Summits, An Tir