Chipboard as a soil improver!

[Ian Pearson]

I found some research that points out the benefits of composting mdf and chipboard. It seems to produce clean, contaminant-free compost. I've posted in detail here:
http://oca-testbed.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/chipboard-as-soil-improver-no-seriously.html

[Ian Pearson]

[pumkinlover]

I can say from experience that it takes a couple of years to compost a fire door.
Please do not ask me why I composted a fire door as you would not get a sensible answer!

[Ian Pearson]

Would that be a half-hour fire door, or a one-hour fire door?

[digmore]

I would air on the side of caution, somewhere in my memory, I heard MDF contains cancer agents.

[pumkinlover]

Would that be a half-hour fire door, or a one-hour fire door?

One hour 

[Ian Pearson]

Digmore, yes, mdf, chipboard and plywood all produce low-level degassing of formaldehyde gas, and dust which is at least irritant, and possibly carcinogenic. So it's a bad idea to machine these products indoors, or to have them in your house, especially if the house is built to current building regs on air tightness. That said, degassing is reckoned to be complete within a few years of manufacture. However, composting breaks down the urea formaldehyde glue in to CO2 and soluble nitrogen (ammonia) only. Both beneficial to plants, and safe to humans.

[digmore]

 :happy7:If your happy its safe, try it.

Digmore

[ACE]

Look into any bag of peat free compost and there is loads of mashed up chip board.

[pumkinlover]

Look into any bag of peat free compost and there is loads of mashed up chip board.

Sometimes it is not even mashed up!

[Tee Gee]

Ace has just beat me to it!

I wrote this yesterday but couldn't post because of the server problems!

It seems to produce clean, contaminant-free compost.

Wickes would seem to think so based on the compost they produced a couple of years ago.

But according to the 'bad press' they got they had to take it off the market!

So I guess there might be some truth in the matter if the so called experts decided to use it!

Personally; I think 'based on the bad press' the amateur gardener is not ready for such a change just yet!

[strawberry1]

chipboard and mdf are very high in chemicals and formaldehyde, which is highly allergenic. I wouldn`t use them at all

[Vinlander]

chipboard and mdf are very high in chemicals and formaldehyde, which is highly allergenic. I wouldn`t use them at all

If you have any way to source woodchip or even prunings then why bother with MDF and chipboard?

On the other hand it's not worth a panic if you've got some in the soil.

Formaldehyde is a chemical - but it is one that is regularly produced in nature and a few of the microbes in soil/compost will think it is Xmas (oh yeah - as it happens it is) and use it to produce billions of offspring.

Any molecule made by nature is capable of being entirely dismantled by bugs.

Most poisonous molecules (eg. plant, animal and fungal toxins) are poisonous because of their structure and shape not the kind of atoms that are in them.

NB. the key word is molecule - many heavy atoms (eg. lead, arsenic, mercury, chromium, thallium etc.) are intrinsically poisonous forever and if you've got them in your soil the only realistic treatment is to immobilise them by maintaining alkalinity and constantly adding humus that temporarily locks them up. Copper isn't poisonous in small quantities - it is a necessary trace element for mammals.

Most dangerous molecules were already present in nature - the problem comes when humans decide they need to last longer and 'twist' them in a way that flummoxes the bugs - the most current classic case being neonicotinoids.

Good old nicotine sprayed at dusk was mostly degraded before the bees arrived next morning, but now it's illegal - whereas the devastating 'cloprids were 'safe' and legal until very recently and many are still not totally banned.

Bottom line - if there's any chance that chromium/arsenic preservatives were used in MDF then they should be avoided - but these chemicals cost money, and what's the point of preserving a material that turns to mush after a few minutes exposure to water?

Like I say - not worth looking for - not worth avoiding...

If you want a worry then worry about lead paint flakes in your soil!

Cheers.