Just received this in an email from Andy's EZwoodshop. Just posting it here for your consideration:

Ever build something from a wood pallet? I remember all the buzz about pallet furniture from a couple years ago, but apparently it's still going strong today, especially with some of the newer photo sharing sites like Pinterest. I've seen everything from pallet tables, pallet chairs, pallet beds, and even pallet kids' toys. Truth is I have very mixed feelings about the fad. As interesting as some of the projects are, I doubt I will ever build furniture from a wood pallet. Here's why.
So What's the Problem with Pallets?
Everything from soda pop to cyanide gets shipped on pallets. And because pallets are repaired and resold (many times over), it's nearly impossible to know what a recycled pallet has been used for during its lifetime. More often than not, a wood pallet does have bacteria and other contaminants lurking under the surface. For those who aren't up to date on the subject, here are a few things to consider before bringing pallet furniture into your home.
Bacteria in Wood Pallets
Do you recall a couple years ago when wood pallets made national news? Twenty people from Michigan, Ohio, and New York ended up in the hospital after eating lettuce infected with E.coli. Where did the E.coli come from? You guessed it -- wood shipping pallets. Of course, this discovery opened a fresh can of worms for the FDA, who had always let the shipping pallet industry operate freely without regulation. After the big lettuce recall (in 23 different states), the FDA quickly put forth a set of food-safety guidelines for shippers, but no laws to actually enforce them.
Fungicides in Wood Pallets
A lot of wood pallets are treated with pesticides and fungicides before they leave the assembly line. That's because insects and mold love to hide in the grain of the wood, which is a big problem for companies that ship things around the world (ever hear of Dutch Elm disease?). These chemicals can't be removed (or easily covered for that matter), and can continue to release toxins in the air for years to come. As a result, treated pallets are a bad choice for any kind of project you might want to keep in the house.

Still Want to Do It?
I'm kind of a germophobe to begin with, so there's no convincing me that building pallet furniture is a good idea. However, I realize a lot of people love the idea and are determined to build something with a pallet no matter what. With that in mind, here are some practical tips for getting started -- and how to avoid some of the more common pitfalls of the craft.
Recycled Pallets - What to Avoid
Sometimes you can spot which recycled pallets to avoid simply by paying attention to how the wood looks, feels, and smells.
> Smells Bad. This is a dead giveaway that bacteria is growing somewhere on the pallet. Leave it alone and look elsewhere.
> Looks Oily. This is a good indicator that the pallet was treated with some type of fungicide (to prevent mold and wood rot). Keep looking.
> Spots and Stains. This can mean only one thing: SPILLS. There's no telling what might have leaked, so don't even touch it.
Recognizing a Treated Pallet
Treated and non-treated pallets can sometimes look the same. Here are a few clues to help you recognize the difference. First see if the pallet is marked with the following letters:
MB - (Methyl Bromide). MB is a toxic pesticide applied to wood pallets to kill insects. Although pallet manufacturers are phasing out the process, you will still see this mark on older, recycled pallets.
HT - (Heat Treated). HT is also a process that also kills insects. The method is considered safer than using MB, but can still include the use of other hazardous chemicals.
Does it Feel Extra Heavy?
Sometimes the weight of a pallet can be an indicator that it's been treated with fungicides, especially if the wood also has an odd color.

Cleaning Recycled Pallets
If you're confident you've found a wood pallet that's free of bacteria (as free as it can be anyway) and doesn't appear to be treated with fungicides, it's still a good idea to scrub the pallet down with bleach and soapy water. Keep in mind that bacteria might still be embedded in the grain even after a thorough cleaning. That means wood from a pallet should never come in contact with food, children's toys, or children's furniture, regardless of how well you clean the surface.
Working with Recycled Pallets
Pallets are usually riddled with nails, splinters, and other sharp edges that make working with the material especially hazardous. Plus, the dust created from cutting or sanding a pallet treated with fungicides and/or pesticides can be extremely toxic. Always use the following safety precautions when working with recycled pallets:
> Wear gloves to avoid splinters, cuts and punctures.
> Wear safety glasses to keep stuff out of your eyes.
> Wear a dust mask to keep fungicides out of your lungs.
Be safe in the shop!
Andy

 

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

I know what you mean about the prep time, Joe. I really never considered the possible hazards in the wood before I read this information.

Joe Lyddon said:

In the past, when I was fortunate to get a couple of pallets, I had fun taking them apart, cleaning them up, and using them.

It is FREE WOOD... if you rate your time as ZERO...  LOL

It does take a little work... some of those nails are really hard to get out without splitting the piece...  You develop a knack for it.

Nowadays, pallets  just don't seem to find their way to me...  Haven't worked with them for quite a while now...

Truckers use them to roughly estimate the tire pressure on their rigs. They can tell by the sound/recoil if a tire is under inflated.

Joe Lyddon said:

Question:

What is a Tire Thumper?

Knock the ice off of them in super cold weather?

I have never heard of one... have no idea of what they're good for...

Thank you.

The couple times I have messed with pallets it hasn't been worth the time or effort, unless we're having a bonfire  . However I do have some friends that work at Gulfstream areospace building corporate jets, and they, like way too many other American companies get a lot of their parts made in Mexico. The good thing about this is that a lot of them come in crates made from 3/4" furniture grade birch plywood and they usually just scrap them, which means that some of them have ended up in my hands. For that kind of wood I don't mind pulling some staples. 

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Greg
Scroll Saw forum host

http://www.thesawdustfactoryga.com/