When in doubt, throw it out. (or return it if you can)

It's not just the chemicals that were intentionally applied to the wood to preserve it, but stuff that came from the trains. Even if the trestles weren't treated, you have to imagine that some grease and other stuff comes off the trains over the years.

This is always one of the big concerns with reclaimed barn wood furniture as some of the wood is very old may have been treated with paint or other finishes that probably contained lead way back when. I think it just ends up being a personal judgement call and how sensitive you need to be.

I might use a reclaimed wood table and other furniture in an outdoor space or as a small piece of occaisional furniture, but personally I wouldn't eat off it or sleep on it. And I most certainly wouldn't use it for a crib or anything else for a child.

I don't think West Elm would sell things in largeish quantities without making sure they were safe. The company would face a huge problem (and potential lawsuits) if it sold wood that was unsafe to be around people.

Indoor furniture wouldn't be seeping anything into the ground or contaminate soil or water. Just don't drink liquids off your furniture or lick it.

I'd take the sourcing listed in the catalog with a huge grain of salt.

Why do we think modern furniture is much safer? People who had their blood tested for toxins were discovered to have new fangled flame retardents in their blood streams, and we don't even know the implications of that (kidney failure? cancer?) The reclaimed wood question would be one for a chemist or botanist. Visit your local university and call one of their Ph.D.s. I'm positive they'd be fascinated by your question and it might even be a good student project.

I have the West Elm Stria 6-drawer dresser and we've never had any issues with the wood. Unlike a lot of manufactured (pressboard or MDF) furniture from Target or IKEA, there was absolutely no VOC off-gassing smell when we first received the dresser, if that's any consolation to you.

Many of the things that can damage your organs are undetectable without chemical testing. Logistically, depending on a non-pharma company to chemically test their sources because you assume they fear lawsuits is giving them far too much credit. Most of their lawyers are engaged in design patent issues. This is a very important question and I would be interested to hear West Elm's reply.

I believe (Googled it a bit) the trains in India are mostly still open discharge meaning the toilets open directly onto the tracks. That should be a big concern. Whether they close the toilets when they approach train stations and that these trestles came from the stations themselves would be better, but how would you know? Besides, the other concern would be of all the other potential contaminants that come from trains.

Maybe it's sealed, so even if there were possible issues with the raw wood, the sealer protects you. (Just a thought.)

Our environment these days is full of chemicals that were never a concern in the pre-industrial era. We probably can n ever know what we are exposed to or how much of a problem it could be. I figure moderation is the only practical approach -- THINK about what might lurk and how afraid you are of it. Deal with what you can.

For this specific situation, I'd contact West Elm and maybe the manufacturer. If you don't get satisfactory responses, and you are concerned, then don't buy the product. Stress from worrying about the possible dangers can be as harmful as the actual chemicals. Not worth it if you are worried. (I don't think I would be worried, so I might just go ahead and get the item... It's about your personal reaction and sensitivities.)

There are government groups that keep watch on this sort of thing. CPSIA, and other government agencies require testing for lead and other chemicals prior to allowing it to sell in the US. I highly doubt that a company as large as West Elm would not follow their regulations.

Toilets on trains in India open directly onto the ground. This means that the toilet is either an open hole in the floor or a toilet which does not connect to any plumbing, but an open hole in the floor of the train. So, as the train goes down the tracks, all the effluents just flow directly all over the tracks. I'm all in favour of reclaimed wood, but I might give a miss to reclaimed train ties from India.

I have been to India twice and can confirm the comments about Indian train toilets. The trains are very old (pre-WWII and I wouldn't be surprised if some of them are pre-WWI) and you can actually look down and see the tracks through the toilets. If the wood really is from Indian train trestles, it has absolutely been covered in human waste and probably over many decades.

Interestingly, last time I was in India I noticed that they are replacing the wood trestles with concrete, so that must be why there is suddenly so much of the wood available now.

I contacted West Elm and this is the response I received:

"Thank you for contacting west elm.

Please accept our apologies, but each [item] is different and comes from different sources and we are unable to confirm or advise if it was originally treated with chemicals.

If we may be of any further assistance, please contact us via email. Alternately, you may contact our Customer Service Department directly at 1(866) 937-8356 from 7:00am to 11:00pm (CST), seven days a week.

Kind regards,

Cynthia Bracht
west elm
Customer Service"

As early as 15 years ago, lead was added to fuel. Mercury is a particulate by-product of diesel engine combustion. The list of potential contaminants could be a mile long. Frankly, I wouldn't want to take a chance that these heavy metals could be leaching from my headboard.

It is a nice idea that corporations and government regulations will keep unsafe items off the market. However, only a small fraction of pieces are tested, and what happens if you get the untested piece that is off the charts with contaminants. West Elm doesn't really care because it would be impossible to tie your cancer diagnosis 20-years down to road to their bed. Consumers have to protect themselves; neither the government nor the corporations have your best interest in mind.

This is a great question! I think people should be VERY careful with reclaimed materials for lead paint, etc... I cringe when I see people reusing wood pallets since they are often fumigated when transported from one country to another.

I bought one of their lovely reclaimed wood tables (Darjeeling table) and did some poking around to figure out if they were chemical treated. I came to the conclusion it was worth buying--in this case they told me the wood was from the early century (I don't remember precisely but it was 1920s?), a period I figured India wouldn't have been using chemical treatment, especially on such hard wood. The table didn't have any noticeable odor or markings (these days lots of pressure treated wood has nick marks so the chemicals can penetrate). Creosote is really smelly, so you'd notice it.

I think if you've thought to ask the question, you know the answer for you...it is, give it a pass. I feel the same way about it...eeww.

There seems to be a bit of confusion. Railroad trestles are bridges. The wood pieces on the actual track are railroad ties.

Hate to break to the rest of you, but the toilets on the trains in France are open holes too (at least 10 years ago) - they had a sign to not use in stations. I think that human/animal waste is the least of your worries here, that's easily cleaned off. As NATHAND496 stated, ties and trestles are different, I would have thought too that ties would be an odd choice as they're usually treated due to being in contact with the ground.

All this speculation is interesting, but I wish we could hear from a few experts on the topic. The company does not seem to understand their own product either.

Also please keep in mind that when we support companies that clear cut for virgin wood we're sacrificing forests that absorb tons of pollution from our air, also our water and soil. Every day we're exposed to toxins in food (arsenic in baby food, anyone?) NASA and Cornell University put out documents on phytoremediation, plants that filter dozens of toxins from the ground and water. Cutting down forests removes whole biomes and increases global warming which kills urban trees as well. Better to buy used if you're not buying reclaimed.

The toilet thing really freaks me out.

LOL about the toilet thing. You guys seriously didn't know this? You need to get out more.
If you've ever watched Slumdog Millionaire you'd know that there are things involving "bathrooms" that are way more disgusting.
If you're worried about chemicals in your furniture than buy American made and ask them where they get their wood from and if they source it locally. Otherwise, there is no way of knowing.

I'm cracking up about the toilet stuff. Seriously, people, there's no telling what chemical treatments were and weren't used and whether trace elements of that remain, but I'm pretty sure they CLEANED OFF THE WOOD at some point during the process of turning it into a bed! If you want to never, ever, ever come in contact with anything that has, despite many cleanings and years of passed time, has in turn come in contact with poo, I suggest sealing yourself in a plastic bubble.

I wouldn't think this would be an issue at all, since I'm sure they sand, clean, and finish the wood anyway. And even if there WERE trace elements of 70 yr old chemicals sealed deep within the wood, unless you plan to sleep with your skin in direct contact with the wood of the bed, or you are like some kind of sleep-chewer who will seek out and gnaw the bed in the dark of the night, the odds of you absorbing any amount of those chemicals, let alone dangerous amounts, is incredibly minimal. And if after all that, you really can't deal with the slim chance that there are chemicals in there that might touch you, at some point, in trace amounts... your day to day existence must be a real challenge, because that is insane.

I also have the CB2 Darjeeling table. Because of its construction (edge-joined) I know that its top also must have been planed / sanded to remove material. Most things only absorb into the top layer of wood, which is how you can sand and re-stain a solid-wood floor. I also know that the suggested treatment (tung oil) polymerizes into a hard, almost lacquer-like finish. I have zero qualms about eating off the table, though I don't do so directly. Resting bread on it is fine.

I would look at the construction of the piece: is the wood sanded or planed flat & smooth?; what type of finish is used?

You can always throw a coat of polyurethane on there if you're worried. If you're really worried, look elsewhere. It's a bed, you're supposed to get sleep, not lose it.

@Holler - "sleep-chewer". LMAO.

Ha, one of the HGTV shows that features kitchen remodels showed the guys making the homeowners a "gift" of a CUTTING BOARD made from, you guessed it, reclaimed wood! Wha????? You're going to put your FOOD on that?

I can't believe you're all surprised/shocked about the train toilets. Although you can't see the track down the loo in a British train, the waste does get flushed straight out onto the track - that's why you're not supposed to use the toilets when the train's in a station! Is this not the case with American trains??

I'd be concerned about chemicals in reclaimed wood, but let's not imagine that most new wooden furniture is somehow very healthy and chemical-free - it's not. Whenever I can, I choose untreated FSC-certified wood (the FSC part isn't to do with chemicals, it's to do with not completely wrecking the planet). I am then free to choose exactly what I treat the wood with, e.g. Auro organic finishes, natural oils and waxes, etc. Conventional finishes are mostly very toxic.

This is a great question and everyone should carefully consider the answer. Reclaimed wood is obviously a better choice when purchasing wood furniture, but due to the increase in demand and the fact that many mainstream retailers like West Elm are trying to meet that demand - they are sourcing the wood worldwide. What about the transportation impact these type of products carry? People should consider the hypocrisy of this. Reclaimed wood is usually available locally to where you live (at least more local than India). Why not support local efforts, local labor/jobs, and local artisans instead of buying into the romanticized versions of these products. You might spend a few more bucks - but it's more likely you'll know exactly where the wood is coming from.

For the couple of folks who chimed in that WE wouldn't sell something dangerous because they might get in trouble, well, just since New Year's I've gotten 3 messages from the recall email list I joined (CPSC) about products from WE that are being recalled because they are dangerous and violate US safety codes. WE is a company, like all the other companies. It's not a person who's your bff. Sometimes they need to hit a price point, sometimes they drop the ball, sometimes they get let down by a product source. Whatever it might be, you can't just assume WE /= Walmart, therefore WE does no wrong.

I worked in a rail yard for a couple of summers. The tresle and the ties are both coated. And when I say coated, it is a giant brush out of a giant pail and laid on as thick as you could get it. I would not have anything made from a railway in or around my house. Have you ever seen a broken one? Black from the inside out.
That said not all reclaimed wood is bad. Some is felled, some is from old logging companies and has never been treated. Some have been taken up from the bottom of lakes and rivers around logging companies.

As for it not touching your skin or you "night chewing" wouldn't make a difference. It'll leach chemicals for decades, and that would be from the last time they applied whatever.

I would be more concerned about laws that protect us from ourselves. thanks to California then federal regulations we sleep on mattresses that have to be treated to self extinguish after being tested with an open flame in excess of 1000degrees(even "organic"ones) without long term testing of the health effects of 8hour a day exposure.

Hi Omoriala, how do you like the stia 6 drawer dresser. I have been thinking of getting it but not sure if is worth $999. Although it looks good and strong, will probably not worry about it falling apart. I would greatly appreciate your opinion.

Aceyx, actually the Tung Oil never seals. It allows the wood to breathe. You should apply a coat of Tung Oil yearly. I use it in many of our projects but not usually on dining tables (customers choice) because of the contact with food. I would recommend a polyurethane or laquer finish over top of the Tung Oil finish. It will retain its beautiful colors from the Tung Oil yet be sealed. For the plates that I have made I use a two part food service grade epoxy.

Brian
www.virgintimberlumber.com