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  • From: Barking Cat Farm <barkingcatfarm AT mindspring.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Is Crushed Concrete Toxic?
  • Date: Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:02:59 -0500

Thanks, Kathryn,

Now that I know slightly more, I will contact the recycling company and find
out what they actually know about the source of the concrete, its
formulation, and its previous use -- or if they can tell me any of that. If
not, I'll either have to find another supplier who knows what they have or
look at different road bed material.

Laurie
Barking Cat Farm

On Apr 19, 2013, at 3:29 PMApr/19/13, Kakerby wrote:

> Laurie, you may need to go directly to the source for the crushed concrete,
> since formulations and previous use will affect that answer. But here's a
> MSDS (material safety data sheet) that I found from one particular company
> making crushed concrete:
>
> http://www.lafarge-na.com/MSDS_North_America_English_-_Crushed_Concrete.pdf
>
> In their flyer, it's considered toxic because it has silica particulates,
> which can irritate and inflame breathing passages.
>
> A document such as this should be available from the company providing the
> crushed concrete product. If it's not, I would ask if they have something
> comparable (although the MSDS is the standard document for such questions,
> so they should have it). They may also say, as this one does, that each
> individual batch will have slightly different properties, either due to how
> it was mixed, or where it was used. If you can work with whoever is
> supplying it, they might be able to test just that batch. But that might
> also be more hassle than they or you want to work with. Let us know if you
> get that far, and what the results are.
> Kathryn Kerby
> frogchorusfarm.com
> Snohomish, WA
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Brabo <mdbrabo AT att.net>
> To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
> Sent: Fri, Apr 19, 2013 12:43 pm
> Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Is Crushed Concrete Toxic?
>
> Hi Laurie,
> It encourages me to see you doing your homework. Too often I've seen
> people do
> things that are quite costly or impossible to undo.
> Since concrete is porous there is the possibility that it may contain
> various
> fuels, lubricants and VOCs, especially if the concrete came from a road
> project.
> Thankfully in our area there are many limestone quarries and we're able to
> get
> clean, washed limestone to build roads or wash areas.
> Regards,
> Mike
> Vesterbrook Farm
> Certified Naturally Grown
> Clarksville, Missouri - Mississippi River Bluffs, Zone 5b-6a
>
>
> On Apr 19, 2013, at 2:37 PM, Barking Cat Farm wrote:
>
> > My apologies in advance for what may be a silly question. I've spent a
> > lot of
> time looking into this and cannot seem to get consistent answers, so I
> decided
> to ping The Collective.
> >
> > Does crushed concrete contain toxic materials (either natural or
> > synthetic)
> that could potentially leach out into the surrounding ground? We are
> looking at
> recycled crushed concrete as a potential road building material. I've
> heard
> from various sources that it can be toxic. For instance, I've been told
> that if
> you throw crushed concrete in a pond, it will kill fish, toads, frogs, etc.
>
> What I cannot seem to find is a definitive confirmation of concrete's
> toxicity
> (or lack thereof) from a reputable source.
> >
> > If it does contain harmful toxins that could leach out, we will have to
> > look
> at another road bed material, as we cannot take a chance on toxins leaching
> into
> any of the crop areas or surrounding healthy soil.
> >
> > Your help is appreciated. I'd like to see documented proof one way or
> another, if you have links. I've been online researching .edu sites, and
> have
> learned more than I really wanted to know about cement, but more from a
> chemistry standpoint. Unfortunately, chemistry is not my strong suit.
> >
> > Laurie
> > Barking Cat Farm
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
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Thank you for supporting local agriculture and floriculture!

Laurie Bostic
Owner/Farmer
Barking Cat Farm
Heath & West Tawakoni, Texas
barkingcatfarm AT mindspring.com
www.barkingcatfarm.com
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