treated lumber

[sao95]

after it came out a few years ago that treated lumber contained arsenic, then the EPA said there would be no more production using that wood preservative, does anyone know if what Lowes/home depot is carries free from arsenic now, or are they still selling down what manufacturers had in stock?
sao

[gliddend]

Around me , here in Washington State and Idaho.. They still sell the stuff.

[mickwish]

Ask them. They would have to provide a suitable answer to you. If they don't tell them you will have to ask the EPA instead. That might get some kind of response. :rolleyes:

You need to be clear on what you are asking, though. Some preservation / termite treatments may contain some arsenic or other nasty things during the process, but have no residuals on the timber itself. Some nasty chemicals become bonded to the timber, and are unable to be unbonded except maybe if treated with more chemicals or in fire or something.

Our wood-meister Knothead may know something about wood treatment processes. ;)

Cheers
Mick

[cyclone2]

http://www.ufpi.com/product/ptlumber/ptfaq.htm

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dshm/sldwaste/cca.html


Sounds like its still sold so ask your lumber store for sure.

[pain_inbutt]

Knothead is probly busy sailing the 7 seas :tease:

[jmebonner]

I'm pretty sure they changed it. A the lumber yard I work at once or twice a year, we sell ACQ now since it was the CCA that the EPA said "uh-uh" to. We're a small town, and if we've sold out of the CCA, I'm sure all other places have to.

Whatcha building? I put in some escape windows in my basement and put treated around the window and I'll be using it to make a step to climb out of the window well and as a retaining wall for the dirt. Good stuff ;)

[knothead]

Our wood-meister Knothead may know something about wood treatment processes. ;)

Nope, not on THIS one, sorry.

But like Mick said, you can ask the dealer. :)

[Axel]

The stuff is legal to sell until supplies run out in most places. The only way to be certain any specific load of lumber isn't protected by a toxic substance is to have it tested because of how the laws were written.

As for asking the lumber store - if you have a particular concern or worry - I wouldn't rely upon the person trying to sell the lumber to give you a 100% reliable answer. First of all - they didn't watch the stuff being made - Second - they aren't chemists - Third - they want to get rid of it regardless.....

My understanding of the issue is that the toxic stuff is safe once enclosed in a wall or once dried and painted over with a latex based stain and so on. Bare treated lumber is to be avoided in playground equipment and furniture applications due to toxicity. Also not a very good idea to build a dock out of it in your stock pond or anything with fish likely to be caught and eaten as it will get into the water and into the creatures in said water. But if you're building a storage shed and make the base plate of the wall to be covered with siding later, you shouldn't experience any issues from such an application.

[sao95]

I e-mailed lowes anmd asked, so I'm waitin to see if they say ACQ or CCA, the ACQ is alright exposed isn't it?

[jad1097]

It's been over a year since the EPA deadline so there should not be all that much concern.

What project do you have in mind. There may be another material you can use.

[blackwatch]

dont they treat the wood with pressure and linseed oil?

[Cruez]

Still sell it in the southeast...

I really don't exactly know why they do it.... I hope not for pests, because the carpenter bees still get into my deck... :mad:

[jmebonner]

I e-mailed lowes anmd asked, so I'm waitin to see if they say ACQ or CCA, the ACQ is alright exposed isn't it?

Yes. It's perfectly fine, as long as you're not burning it in your fireplace :)

http://www.ufpi.com/product/ptlumber/ptfaq.htm

Check that link... It has some good info.

[sao95]

I read that once and had already forgot :D The project was a crossmember for supporting a slide on swingset. It would have minimal amount of contact, so I went ahead and bought it. I figured it couldn't hurt since our deck was made out of treated lumber and my daughter has tons of contact with it. Does make me curious as to what the deck was though, CCA or ACQ. Still have yet to get a reply from lowes though.

edit: I decided to call and ask, the lumber guy said ACQ before I even got the question out, sounded like he knew what he was talking about. So if the ACQ is safe for handling, et cetera, then it's safe for playground equipment as well I'm thinking. And I found this... http://www.henderson-recreation.com/NatureWood.htm


edit 2: finally heard back from lowes e-mail :rolleyes:

Thank you for visiting www.lowes.com regarding details on the types of chemicals used on the pressure treated lumber products.

I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused while searching for your requested information. The pressure treated lumber Lowe's stocks is arsenic free, which is called ACQ, since it is treated with a preservative called Alkaline Copper Quaternary.
Below is a link with details about the lumber, along with specific information on the treatment used on the pressure treated lumber.

http://www.treatedwood.com/products/preserve/

Thank you,

Randall
Lowe's Customer Care

[a Bill]

They don't make the stuff with arsenic in it anymore. Now it's something with copper in it so that the wood is green. Jeeze, I already forgot. Doesn't matter I guess. Oh wait, sao95 posted it :D

When are they going to discontinue MDF? The dust is toxic.

[sao95]

does anyone still use MDF? I thought it went out in the 70's :confused:

[jad1097]

Bill do you mean the formaldehyde in MDF? THere is some that does not contain any.



MDF is often used for speaker boxes. That is what I used it for.

This was in my fav's.
http://www.lungster.com/l/speakers/mdffaq/mdf.html