What steps can one take to reduce their potential exposure to CCA?
Here are some common sense tips for minimizing unnecessary exposure to CCA: treated wood should never be burned in open fires, stoves, fireplaces or residential boilers; always wash hands thoroughly after contact with any wood, especially prior to eating and drinking; food should not come into direct contact with any treated wood; always follow the precautions outlined in EPA’s Consumer Safety Information Sheet before working with CCA pressure treated wood; apply a coating product to pressure treated wood on a regular basis; and when conducting new construction or repairs, consider the range of alternatives to CCA pressure treated wood. 4. Should I replace my CCA pressure treated deck or playground equipment? EPA does not recommend that consumers replace or remove existing structures made with CCA pressure treated wood or the soil surrounding those structures. Concerned citizens may want to take extra precautions, however, by applying a coating to exposed surfaces on a regular basis. 5
