What is pressure-treated wood?
Virtually all of the lumber sold for outdoor uses in the United States has been pressure-treated. Since the 1970s, most of this lumber was treated with the preservative chromated copper arsenate (CCA) to protect against weather, mold, and insects. In the pressure treating process, a freshly milled board is placed inside a vacuum chamber and all of the air and water is sucked from its fibers. Then, under high pressure, copper, chromium and arsenic are forced into the now empty cells. It is also known as arsenic-treated or CCA wood.
Pressure treated wood is wood that has undergone a process to make it more durable so that it is not susceptible to water, rot, termites, or fungus. Pressure treated wood is used for a variety of applications ranging from outdoor decking to utility poles, from railroad ties to playground equipment. Boat docks, aquarium stands and indoor pools are a few more examples. Pressure treated wood conserves and extends a valuable renewable resource and it is economical. To make the wood so long lasting, it is first treated with chemical preservatives, then placed in a cylinder under pressure. The pressure forces the chemicals deep into the wood which then becomes a barrier against natural enemies like termites and decay. The effectiveness of pressure treated wood has been born out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service in more than four decades of field testing. Because of its known efficacy, pressure treated wood is often guaranteed against termite infestation and decay for 40 ye
Pressure treated wood is wood that has been treated with a preservative to protect it from being destroyed by insects, fungus or exposure to moisture. back to Pressure Treated Wood FAQ Index What preservatives are used to pressure treat wood? The preservatives formerly used to pressure treat wood for non-commercial applications are chromium, copper and arsenic, which are classified as pesticides. Wood treated with these pesticides is sometimes referred to as CCA treated wood, and is commonly used for decks, walkways, fences, gazebos, boat docks and playground equipment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered a number of alternate wood preservatives that do not contain arsenic. Wood treated with these preservatives is now available in the marketplace. back to Pressure Treated Wood FAQ Index How are children exposed to arsenic from pressure treated wood? Parents should be aware that children are exposed to arsenic through their skin contact with the wood and also f
