What Are the Dangers of Older CCA-Treated Wood?

Identification

• To determine if wood used for your deck construction was treated with CCA, consider the age. In 1993, manufacturers started using a less toxic formula to treat wood. Any wood pressure-treated before 1993 almost certainly contains more toxins, including arsenic. Sap woods get treated more often with chemicals, so determining the type of wood may help identify more dangerous wood. Check underneath your deck, where the wood has not been stained. CCA-treated wood has a greenish appearance.

Exposure

• Children are most at risk from CCA-treated wood. Touching wood and then putting hands in the mouth can cause exposure. Chemicals also can leach from the wood to the ground beneath. Exposure to the chemicals can also occur during deck cleaning as well as sawing the wood or breathing sawdust.

Precautions

• If you have concerns about CCA-treated wood, using a penetrating oil or water-based sealant yearly will reduce the amount of toxin exposure, according to the EPA. Limit possible exposure by always covering picnic tables with a tablecloth. Always require children to wash hands frequently and before eating. Don't use new or old pressure-treated wood for compost containers or wood chips. If you suspect the soil near or beneath and old deck or other structure is contaminated, do not plant food crops in the area.

Disposal

• Never burn pressure-treated wood, because burning releases the chemicals, which can then be inhaled. Don't bury the wood or leave it lying around. Pressure-treated wood should be disposed of in a lined landfill. If you are unsure how your community handles pressure-treated wood waste, call your local government office.