3 Don ’ t store pallets in a trailer .
Dark , warm , and humid trailers can quickly turn into an incubator for mold growth . Coordinate pallet deliveries with trading partners so that pallets can be quickly unloaded and placed into dry storage .
4 Keep pallets in a well-lit , dry , and ventilated environment
Covered storage is critical for keeping pallets dry . For outdoor storage sheds , pallet ends of stringer pallets should be aligned in the direction of the prevailing winds to help improve airflow . For indoor storage , choose a well-lit , ventilated part of the warehouse .
5 Ensure row spacing to further promote ventilation
Stacked stringer pallets can act as a barrier to air movement on the stringer side . Circulation can be improved by leaving a gap between pallet rows . Orient the ends of stringer pallets in the direction of air movement .
6 Consider KD softwood pallets
More industries are switching to kiln-dried softwood pallets . While some applications still require the use of hardwood , KD softwood pallets can be designed to deliver comparable service , without the mold challenges associated with pallet heat treatment .
What about traditional chemical pallet mold treatment options ?
In spite of heroic efforts to keep pallets dry in warm weather , pallets far too frequently have exposure to the necessary combination of heat and moisture , and mold results . Even if you keep your pallets under 19 % moisture content , small localized wet spots can provide the needed ingredients for mold to colonize .
To improve protection against mold , lumber and pallet providers have relied on hazardous and caustic chemical solutions . These treatment products pose additional challenges for pallet manufacturers and users alike . Boards are either dipped into vats of toxic solution or it can be sprayed onto the boards . Both of these approaches pose a health and safety risk to employees as well as the threat of corrosion damage to plant equipment – even after the mold inhibitor has been applied . Such products are categorized as being toxic to the environment , particularly to marine life . As such , careful attention to handling and disposal is needed to avoid environmental damage .
A new approach to chemical pallet mold prevention
WoodLock Bio-Shield was originally developed as a treatment for ( Cont ' d on Page 20 )
construction lumber to inhibit mold growth in homes . Its inventor , Jim Stanley ,
MARCH 2021