What is the current guidance for safely working with the new treated lumber. In particular, I have a fence that I’m about to paint and I want to clean the surface with a light sanding before applying primer, but I am concerned about the dust. Searched the archives but didn;t find anything about toxic effects from dust.
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Replies
All I know is that the reason for replacing the old CCA was that it was toxic and the new ACQ is not supposed to be as toxic--or not toxic at all to humans? I guess you chould/should wear a dust mask and gloves, but other than that. I don't know. I worry more about when it is so wet that hammering nails produces a spray of the treatment!
You can look at the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) on ACQ treated lumber at (the pertinent section is Section 8, about half way down the page):
http://www.gp.com/build/literature.aspx#Material%20Safety%20Data%20Sheets
It is a .pdf file, so I can't cut and paste the relevant parts. In general the data sheet seems to stress the danger of wood in general more than any problems with the ACQ treatment. It recommends safety glasses with eye shields and leather gloves for work that won't create "excessive amounts" of dust. It says (and a surprise to me) that respiratory protection is not normally needed. However, I would certainly wear a respirator - particularly since I am allergic to sawdust of any type.
The pdf was interesting. Like you, I am really surprised that there is no warning about the chemical carrying dust. I find it quite irritating and am opting to use a OSHA approved dust mask. I also switched to a palm sander with a dust pickup to prep the wood to further reduce the amount of dust. The changes seem to be working ok for me. Thanks for the reference
All wood dust is now rated as carcinogenic.
The new PT has less arsenic but more coper, which is toxic at certain levels.
Wear the best dust mask you can
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don't get a splinter in your finger
You got that right. I got a PT splinter the other day. Pulled it out immediately, but it's still painfully swollen right now.
and folks build decks with that "stuff".........Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
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Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I worked in a lumber yard back when I was in college & the worst splinters I remember were from the fire treated stuff. That burned for weeks...
That sickly red plywood?
Yup. That stuff is nasty.
When sanding, always wear a dust mask - that fine dust, weather treated or not is a hazard for the lungs.
Instead of sanding I think I would use a pressure washer to strip off the outer contaminents and then let dry and then stain with a solid stain instead of painting.
ANDYSZ2
I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
Remodeler/Punchout
I chose not to pressure wash because I had paid extra for the finish grade treated lumber which is clear (mostly), dry and stable. Washing would normally hae been my choice but here it would just drive moisture into the wood. Any rate. I seem to be breathing still having finished the project. Some horrid disease may grab me yet. But its just as likely to have been from one of my earlier DIY projects as this.
Cheers
Alan