![]() This type of coal is harder and older than ignite or sub-bituminous coal. But these days, due to new pollution laws, it’s collected and recycled.Ĭlass F occurs when plants burn anthracite or bituminous coal. In the past, fly ash was released into the atmosphere. It’s the stuff that’s leftover once the boilers burn off all the fuel from the coal. “flue ash,” is a byproduct of coal burning plants. Toxic materials found in the fly ash can leach from the cinder blocks into the soil and then into the food. Garden beds built with cinder blocks may be fine for flowers and plants but avoid them if your planting vegetables, fruits and herbs. ![]() Some of these metals and substances remain in the ash after the coal is burned and are then found in the cinder blocks.Įssentially, using cinder blocks is just like putting chunks of coal in your garden. ![]() The recycling of coal ash technically makes cinder blocks a green building material, but fly ash leaching potentially toxic materials into the ground can be a problem.Ĭoal contains heavy metals and other substances known to be toxic. This helps reduce the amount of toxins that can leach into the soil. If cracks develop in your blocks, fill them with a concrete crack filler. It’s collected and used with cement to save money and lighten the blocks. The ash is what’s left over after the coal is burned. It’s a byproduct of coal burning electric plants. They are light weight and usually cheaper but still very strong.įly ash is the problem. Cinder blocks are made with Portland cement and fly ash which is a byproduct of the coal industry.Cement blocks are made with Portland cement and aggregates.Many people call all concrete blocks cinder blocks but that’s just a nickname. Concrete Or Cinder Blocksįirst, you need to find out if you’re working with actual cinder blocks or cement blocks. ![]() I recommend staying on the safe side by including a protective layer between the blocks and garden or not using blocks. I’ve been a mason for over 25 years and can tell you from firsthand experience, even though not all cinder blocks do contain these harmful elements, it’s almost impossible to know if they do. You can also line them with plastic or some other protective layer. Some gardeners recommend using a concrete block sealer which provides a waterproof seal between the blocks and earth. Scientists have conducted tests to find out if concrete blocks are harmful to humans but so far the tests are inconclusive. In contrast, poured concrete doesn’t contain these elements, so there’s much less chance of toxicity.įly ash and other heavy metals found in some concrete blocks can essentially be hazardous if those materials leach into the soil and are consumed. In addition, lime can leach into the soil which can raise pH levels over time. Other heavy metal byproducts such as lead and arsenic may also be present and could also leach. Fly ash, which is a byproduct of burning coal and used to make some types of cinder blocks, can leach toxic substances like calcium oxide, aluminum oxide, and magnesium oxide into the soil. Concrete blocks, a.k.a cinder blocks, are fire resistant and can be made with materials that could potentially cause health issues if consumed. But are they safe? Are concrete blocks toxic to the environment, you and your plants? The answer is yes and no. Many raised gardens use them because they’re strong, cheap and resistant to the elements. If you have or plan on building a home garden you may be considering using concrete blocks for the foundation rather than poured concrete from a concrete truck.
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