Fumigant treatment of wood species used for railroad ties: a preliminary evaluation

The feasibility of fumigant treatment to extend the service life of railway crossties was evaluated in a small-block test of 18 wood species commonly employed in U.S. rail systems. Hardwood and conifer blocks inoculated, respectively, with two test fungi (Trametes versicolor and Antrodia carbonica) were treated with three fumigants (Vapam?, methylisothiocyanate, and chloropicrin) at six dosages each. Fungus survival, fumigant movement through wood, and receptivity of wood to fumigant treatment were then assessed. The results varied widely, but provided a relative guide to fumigant receptivity for each wood species. Most species were receptive to fumigant treatment, although five appeared to be less so. Ponderosa pine, red alder, and American beech may be too permeable and therefore may lose chemical too rapidly, whereas less permeable lodgepole pine and blackgum may require longer periods for effective treatment. The results suggest that field trials of fumigants for protecting wood ties are warranted.

You must be logged in to download any documents. Please login (login accounts are free) or learn how to Become a Member