Is there any way to look at CCA lumber surfaces and tell how much arsenic might come off from hand contact?
It may be difficult to visually identify CCA-treated lumber. Freshly treated CCA wood, if not coated, has a greenish tint which fades over time. Avoid streaks of green crystalline salt, which is most likely pure CCA and is very dangerous. The green color is due to the presence of copper and indicates that the wood is treated. Note: Wood treated with the alternative non-arsenic copper-based preservatives can have the same greenish tinge as CCA-treated wood. These alternative preservatives only began to be commonly available in the U.S. in mid- 2002 and did not completely replace CCA until early 2004. If you dont know if a structure is made of CCA wood, try contacting the manufacturer or builder. Generally, CCA has been the main chemical used to treat wood for decks and other outdoor uses for homes. If the structure was not built with a naturally decay-resistant wood such as redwood or cedar, CCA wood was probably used. If you are unsure, you should test your structure for arsenic. It is
Related Questions
- Lumber treated with CCA has been available for many years. Does metal corrode in contact with CCA treated lumber?
- Is there any way to look at CCA lumber surfaces and tell how much arsenic might come off from hand contact?
- What are currently considered the best methods of making a CCA lumber surface safe from arsenic exposure?
