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What Are the Dangers of Pressure-Treated Lumber?

Pressure-treated lumber is a chemically-treated wood, capable of standing up to all conditions, such as snow, wind, rain and sun. While the benefits of pressure-treated lumber may be obvious, some potentially serious health hazards are associated with this kind of wood that most people aren't aware of.

  1. Cancer

    • About 90 percent of all outdoor wooden structures in the U.S. were built with pressure-treated lumber. Prior to 2004, every piece was treated with Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA). One of the key ingredients in CCA is arsenic, which is on the Environmental Protection Agency's list of chemicals that are definitely known to cause cancer. Exposure to wood treated with CCA increases your risk of cancers of the lung, bladder, skin, kidney and prostate.

    Respiratory Risks

    • CCA was patented in 1938 and has been used on lumber for 60 years, which means 60 years of breathing in sawdust and smoke from fires that contain arsenic. One tbsp. of ash from burned pressure-treated lumber contains a lethal dose of arsenic. It is imperative that you wear a mask when cutting or burning pressure-treated lumber.

    Environmental

    • Due to the fact that most decks and play structures built with pressure-treated lumber are partially anchored in the ground, there is a significant environmental element as well. When the ground becomes moist, or even when it rains, arsenic from the wood leeches into the soil around it, which causes a serious health risk.

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