Treated wood warning
April 8, 2008
Building a deck, a fence or other outdoor project with wood? You might want to know more about treated wood before you make your buying decisions.
The leading treated wood product, chromated copper arsenate (CCA), recognized by the greenish tint it imparts to the wood, was taken off the market at the beginning of 2004. The problem is the arsenic in the compound, which leaches into the soil over time, a particular concern in wildlife areas as well as children’s playgrounds. Although the arsenic contamination level is fairly low in soil, it is more readily released by fire, such as open pit fires or barbecues and using this type of wood in the home fireplace is discouraged. Disposal of large quantities of CCA-treated wastes or spent timber at the end of its lifecycle has been traditionally through controlled landfill sites.
Another problem is the mainly copper-based replacements for CCA corrode fasteners faster than CCA did, which could increase the speed at which structures deteriorate. This could have an impact on property liability (decks collapsing from structural failure before the wood degrades)
Some alternatives to copper are being developed:
Cooee Biosciences has developed and patented non-toxic, environmentally-friendly options, which specialize in the control and management of water content in natural and man-made materials.
Envirosafe Wood Treatment Products has a process that utilizes a mixture of boron, silicates and a patented “binder formulation.
Hardwick Distributing claims that a product they represent, Permasil WB will “prevent the CCA in treated wood from leaching out and with the borate additive will stop termites as well as the growth of fungi”.
The EPA offers a host of information on CCA and alternative options.
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