How can I tell if a timber structure has been manufactured from material treated with arsenic based products?
Wood that is freshly treated with CCA has a greenish tint, which fades over time. However, some other wood treatments may also have a green colour. Generally, unless your deck has been constructed with hardwood or cedar, it is possible that the deck was constructed with CCA-treated wood. If you know who the building contractor or wood retailer was, you may want to call and ask. As an outcome of the APVMA review, it is a requirement for all CCA-treated timber to be branded with the words ‘Treated with copper chrome arsenate’, up to point of first use.
