I learned something strange but interesting about pentachlorophenol-treated wooden utility poles today.

Did you know that compared to a penta-treated utility pole, use of a concrete utility pole results in 4 times more fossil fuel use, 20 times more GHG, 77 times more acid rain, 4 times more water use, 5 times more eutrophication (excessive nutrients in lakes due to runoffs), and over 14 times more ecological toxicity?

Furthermore, the use of steel utility poles results in 2 times more fossil fuel use, 10 times more GHG, 54 times more acid rain, 2 times more water use, 1.5 times more eutrophication, and over 4 times more ecological toxicity.

Pentachlorophenol-treated wooden utility poles are pretty awesome.