Pressure Treated Lumber - Knowledgebase Question

Auburn, CA
Question by niranjim
May 15, 1998
Pressure treated lumbers are treated with arsenic and other chemicals. Are they safe to handle and are they safe to use in and around vegetables?


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Answer from NGA
May 15, 1998

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 Pressure treated lumber is treated with chromium copper arsenate (CCA) to prolong the life of the wood. It's always best to wear gloves when handling, and wear a dust-mask while you're cutting the timbers. As far as safety is concerned when used around vegetables, there are two sides to the story. One says they are safe, citing studies showing little or no leaching of arsenate. The other side has its own studies and says it does leach at dangerous levels. I prefer to err on the cautious side and recommend gardeners not use pressure treated wood around food plants. Try cedar, redwood, plastic timbers, or even cement blocks instead.

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