Precautions for Using Treated Wood
Wood pressure-treated with waterborne arsenical preservatives may be used inside residences as long as all sawdust and construction debris are cleaned up and disposed of after construction.
Do not use treated wood under circumstances where the preservative may become a component of food or animal feed. Examples of such sites would be structures or containers for storing silage or food.
Do not use treated wood for cutting boards or countertops. Only treated wood that is visibly clean and free from surface residue should be used for patios, decks, and walkways.
Do not use treated wood for construction of those portions of beehives which may come into contact with the honey.
Treated wood should not be used where it may come into direct or indirect contact with public drinking water, except for uses involving incidental contact such as docks and bridges.
Handling Precautions
Dispose of treated wood by ordinary trash collection or burial. Treated wood should not be burned in open fires or in stoves or fireplaces because toxic chemicals may be produced as part of the smoke and ashes. Large quantities of treated wood from commercial or industrial use (e.g., construction sites) may be burned in commercial or industrial incinerators in accordance with State and Federal regulations.
Avoid frequent or prolonged inhalation of sawdust from treated wood. When sawing and machining treated wood, wear a dust mask. Whenever possible, these operations should be performed outdoors to avoid indoor accumulations of airborne sawdust from treated wood.
When power-sawing and machining, wear goggles to protect eyes from flying particles.
After working with the wood and before eating, drinking and use of tobacco products, wash exposed areas thoroughly.
If preservative or sawdust accumulates on clothes, launder before reuse. Wash work clothes separately from other household clothing.
Allow freshly treated, wet wood to dry thoroughly before handling. Never burn treated wood.
California's Proposition 65 - The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986.
In the state of California industries must comply with the requirements of Proposition 65 if their products contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive harm (California Health & Safety Code Sec. 25249.5 and .13).
The act requires that the presence of a listed chemical be communicated with a "clear and reasonable" warning to citizens and workers who can potentially come in contact with the chemicals on the list.
ACZA (Chemonite) treated wood contains arsenic as an active ingredient to fight insect attack and decay. Arsenic is listed on the Proposition 65 Chemical list. Therefore, ACZA treated material sold into the state of California carries an information tag which states, "Warning, this product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm."
