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Consumer and Handler Safety of Treated Wood

The chemicals used in treated wood can pose risks to human health and the environment. Because of this, the EPA and lumber industry have created guidelines for the proper handling, use, and disposal of treated wood.

Consider the following to reduce risk to yourself and others:

• Wear long sleeves, long pants, shoes, socks, and gloves when handling treated wood.
• Dust masks or respirators may help reduce the risk of inhaling sawdust from treated wood while cutting or sanding.
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
• Wash clothing with sawdust separately from the rest of the household laundry.
• Sealants may help prevent the chemicals from leaching to the wood's surface.
• Reusing old, treated wood without end tags can pose risks. It can be very difficult to identify the chemicals used on the wood without the original end tag.
• Keep food from contacting treated wood. If treated wood is used for a picnic table, consider using a tablecloth or other barrier before serving food.
• Treated wood should not be used for beehives or animal feeders.

Additional Resources:

• Select the right preserved wood for your project - American Wood Protection Association (AWPA)
• Codes used for preservatives - AWPA
• Pressure treated wood: Questions and Answers - Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
• Pressure-treated wood use in playground equipment - Massachusetts Bureau of Environmental Health
• Impacts of livestock chewing on treated wood - Michigan State University
• Paint, Stain, Varnish or Preservative? It's Your Choice - USDA Forest Products Laboratory
• Staying Safe Around Treated Wood - Health Canada

If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378, or email us at npic@ace.orst.edu.