When we rebuilt the deck on our old house, about 1992, there were
articles in alot of magazines about the dangers of pressure treated
lumber, and small children. The concern was that if they played on the
deck, the copper sulfate and arsenic, and other stuff, would get
transferred to their hands and toys, and then ingested.
Apparently there had been a couple of cases reported of poisoning.
There was also the same concern about pets.
What we decided to do was to do all the supports in Pressure treated
stuff, and all the decking and rails in Cedar. It increased the cost
of the deck significantly, but as we had a 2 year old at the time, Joan
and I felt that it was better to err on the side of caution.
We did the same when we had the new house built in 1996.
Just my 2 cents;
Bob
rbrooks@micrelinc.com
Mike Frerichs wrote:
>
> The magazine "This Old House" (companion to the PBS series) did an article on
> pressure treated wood a month or two ago. They stated that there is enough
> arsenic in one 10 foot 2X6 to kill 250 adults. However, it seems to be fairly
> well 'locked' into the wood so that there is very little danger from just
> coming in contact with pressure treated wood. The largest danger seems to
>come
> from people who, not knowing any better, burn pressure treated wood. Arsenic
> is not destroyed by fire, but is merely concentrated in the ash, and in this
> form is much easier to get into your body (breathing the ash dust).
>
> They also mentioned that there is some evidence which suggests that acidic
> solutions can leach the arsenic out of pressure treated wood. Some studies
> have found that, on the east coast where the rain is more acidic, the
> concentrations of arsenic in the ground underneath decks built of pressure
> treated wood is much higher than normal.
>
> Normal pressure treated wood also contains a couple of other nasties, chromium
> and copper (the source of the green color). But once again, not particularly
> harmful when in the wood.
>
> The article went on to say that there are a few companies who have come up
>with
> other recipes for treating wood which work just as well as the arsenic
> solution, but which are much less toxic. The reason the arsenic solution is
> still being used is the same reason many things are the way they are in
> industry -- that's what's always been used. And probably will be until the
> public demands a less toxic version.
>
> If you have access to this article, read it. It's an eye opener. As for me,
> I'm going to look for the other types of pressure treated lumber or use cedar
> in the future when I need rot resistant wood.
>
> Mike Frerichs (New home owner - eagerly learning about all this stuff!)
> maf@radiks.net
>
> Nils O. Ny wrote:
>
> > >
> > >James Babcock wrote:
> > >> I picked up some info from my local Home Depot that says wood is
> > >> pressure treated with a solution of arsenic.
> > >
> > >Right. That's why I'm looking for untreated. I'll find 'em someplace.
> > >--
> > ><mml@pobox.com> Matt Liggett
> > > '60 Mini, '70 Midget, '89 SAAB 900t SPG
> > >
> >
> > I don't think you have to worry about the little bit of arsenic used in
> > treated lumber. It's used extensively in all the decks and lawn furniture
> > / children's play structures etc. where you come into intimate contact with
> > it. Also if you remember back in the earlier part of this century people
> > actually ingested rather large amounts of arsenic (particularly women) to
> > keep their complexions light. Now I'm not suggesting that we eat the stuff
> > again, but I think you are overly worried. I have used it for many things
> > and have never had a problem (other than the uncontrollable twitching of
> > the left side of my face and numbness of my arm etc.)
> >
> > Regards, Nils
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