5757 c.l United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Office of Public Affairs 230 South Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois 60604 f/EPA 905K87001 For Consumers \ I U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region V, Library 230 South Dearborn Street Chicago, Illinois 60604 ------- ------- TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 2 WHAT IS WOOD PRESERVATION? 2-3 WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON WOOD PRESERVATIVES? 3-4 WHERE MAY I USE TREATED WOOD? 4-6 WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF EXPOSURE TO TREATED WOOD? 6 WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD I TAKE WHEN WORKING WITH TREATED WOOD? 6-8 HOW MAY I DISPOSE OF TREATED WOOD? 8 WHAT RESTRICTIONS HAS THE GOVERNMENT PLACED ON WOOD PRESERVATIVES? 8 WHERE TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPLICATOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM inside back cover ------- INTRODUCTION If you are thinking about buying lumber to build a deck, fence, patio, or any structure that will be exposed to the weather or possible pest attack, you should consider wood that is treated with a wood preservative. Treated wood has a useful life at least five times longer than untreated wood. HAT IS WOOD PRESERVATION? ood preservation is the technique of protecting wood — through chemical treatment — from damage by insects (termites, ants, and beetles), fungi (decay fungi and mold fungi), marine borers (mollusk and crustacean groups), weather, and fire. Wood treated with preservatives includes railroad ties, construction lumber, plywood, timber, foundation materials, fence posts, utility poles, and landscape materials. The ------- preservatives also are sprayed or brushed on wood fences, decks, picnic tables, playground equipment, lawn furniture, millwork, plywood, and particleboard. WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON WOOD PRESERVATIVES? Creosote, pentachlorophenol (penta), and inorganic arsenicals account for more than 97 percent of the wood preservatives used in this country Creosote: a distillate of coal tar; a heavy, oily liquid Creosote improves the weathering characteristics of wood, provides protection from insects and fungi, and promotes insolubility in water It is used in railroad ties, large timbers, fence posts, poles, and pilings Penta (oilborne preservatives): a crystalline compound dissolved in light petroleum oil. It is used to treat utility pole crossarms, construction lumber, timber products, and .f^nce posts Penta-treated wood products resist insects and fungi. ^iM^^^ff^^ V^N**" *>*;/'VCL.v A 5;5l rvtf "£s lV.^fW''« ,.. ^,-*. j w-WMM *? I ' ) **s\ ' ------- Inorganic arsenicals (waterborne preservatives): compounds of arsenic, chromium, copper, zinc, and fluoride They differ from creosote and penta in that they are water- soluble inorganic substances, as opposed to oily, organic substances. Wood treated with inorganic arsenicals may be used for patios, decks, playground equipment, and interiors. WHERE MAY I USE TREATED WOOD? If you are uncertain about where treated wood may be used safely, these hints may help. • Wood treated with arsenical waterborne preservatives may be used inside homes, as long as all sawdust and construction debris are cleaned up Because of its toxicity, do not use wood treated with creosote or penta inside homes. • In industrial buildings, wood treated with creosote or penta may be used for support structures if they are in contact with the soil and are subject to decay or insect infestation. Two coats of an appropriate sealer must be applied. • In farm buildings, where domestic animals or livestock are unlikely to bite or lick the wood, wood treated with creosote or penta may be used for support structures that have ground contact and are subject to decay or insect infestation Two coats of an appropriate sealer must be applied. • Wood treated with penta may be used on woodwork that has outdoor surfaces, such as door frames, windows, or patio frames. Any interior surfaces should be sealed with two coats of an apprcpnate sealer. • Only treated wood that is visibly clean and free of surface residue should be used for patios, decks, and walkways. Do not use wood treated with: • creosote, penta, or inorganic arsenicals for structures or containers used for storing food, for cutting boards or countertops, or for beehive parts that may come into contact with the honey In addition, do not use it where it may come into direct or indirect contact with public drinking water and drinking water for domestic animals or livestock (Incidental contact, such as with docks and bridges, is all right) ------- ------- • creosote or penta in interiors of farm buildings where domestic animals or livestock may bite or lick the wood, or for bedding or brooding facilities — does not apply to wood treated with inorganic arsenicals. • penta in the construction of log homes. For penta-treated wood already in place, and where frequent skin exposure is likely, appropriate sealers should be applied. WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF EXPOSURE TO TREATED WOOD? Generally speaking, the risks of exposure are greater for persons applying the chemicals than for merely using the already treated wood. Wood treated with inorganic arsenicals and used for decks, patios, lawn furniture, picnic tables, or playground equipment does net pose a high risk to health. Wood treated with this preservative is safe for frequent contact because absorption through the skin is negligible. You do not need to apply a sealer to wood treated with inorganic arsenicals. To ensure the safe use and handling of wood treated with creosote or penta, certain precautions should be kept in mind: • Creosote and penta tend to leach from wood over a long period of time. To prevent this, apply two coats of an appropriate sealer. • Where sealers have not been applied, avoid skin contact. Frequent or prolonged exposure may cause dermatitis (inflammation of the skin) • Urethane, epoxy, and shellac are acceptable sealers lor all creosote and penta- treated wood. • For wood-block flooring Treated with creosote, coal-tar pitch and coal-tar pitch emulsion are effective sealers WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD I TAKE WHEN WORKING WITH TREATED WOOD? Wear long-sleeve shirts, long pants, and gloves impervious to the chemicals, such as vinyl-coated gloves ------- ------- If oily preservatives or sawdust accumulate on clothes, wash before reuse. Wash work clothes separately from other household clothing. Avoid frequent or prolonged inhalation of sawdust from treated wood. Wear a dust mask when sawing and machining Always wear goggles to protect your eyes from flying particles when power-sawing and machining If possible, work outdoors to avoid mdoor accumulation of sawdust from treated wood Wash exposed body areas thoroughly afier working with the wood and before eating or drinking, or before using tobacco products HOW MAY I DISPOSE OF TREATED WOOD? You may dump it with your ordinary trash, or you may bury it Never burn treated wood in open fires or in stoves, fireplaces, or residential boilers, because toxic chemicals may be produced as part of the smoke and ashes WHAT RESTRICTIONS HAS THE GOVERNMENT PLACED ON WOOD PRESERVATIVES? EPA has classified creosote, penta, and inorganic arsenicals for "restricted use " This means that the sale and use of these products is limited to certified applicators or to persons under their direct supervision An applicator certification program has been set up under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act This program is designed to ensure that restricted-use pesticides are properly applied only by persons trained and qualified to handle these materials. US GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFF:ICE 1987—744 ------- ------- If you would like information about the applicator certification program, contact: Illinois Illinois Dept of Public Health Division of Sanitation 535 West Jefferson St Springfield, IL 62671 Contact: Harvey Dommick (217) 782-4674 Minnesota Minnesota Dept of Agriculture Agronomy Services Division 90 West Plato Blvd. St Paul, MN 55107 Contact. Michael Fresvik (612) 296-8547 Indiana Office of the Indiana State Chemist Dept of Biochemistry Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47907 Contact: L.O Nelson (317) 494-1587 Ohio Ohio Dept of Agriculture Pesticides Regulation Reynolclsburg, OH 43068 Contact Oren Spilker (614) 866-6361 Michigan Michigan Dept of Agriculture Plant Industry Division PO Box 3001 7 Lansing, Ml 48909 Contact John Dreves (517) 373-1087 Wisconsin Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Plant Industry Division PO. Box 8911 Madison, Wl 53708 Contact Edward Bergman (608) 266-0197 If you have any questions, or need assistance regarding the purchase or use of treated wood, call EPA's Region 5 Pesticide Office in Chicago at (312) 353-21 92. ------- |