What is cca treated wood
In the event of a bushfire, the ash from burnt CCA-treated timber can contain up to 10 per cent by weight arsenic, chromium and copper. Swallowing only a few grams of this ash can be harmful. Keep children and pets away from CCA-treated ash until it is removed, and see a doctor if you or anyone in your family shows signs of having eaten CCA-treated ash. Ash from CCA-treated timber can be double-bagged, sealed and taken directly to your local landfill.
When removing CCA treated timber ash, wear protective gloves, disposable overalls, and a P1 or P2 face mask P2 masks are sometimes referred to as N95 masks to minimise exposure to dust. Do not bury CCA treated timber ash. Contact your local council for advice or requirements. Risk reduction strategies for ACC-treated timber Suggestions to reduce risk include: Wash your work clothes separately after cutting or sanding CCA-treated timber.
Never burn CCA-treated timber in fireplaces, barbecues, wood stoves or any wood fire. Small amounts of CCA-treated timber off cuts can be placed into your regular rubbish bin. CCA-treated timber from larger household building or demolition jobs can be disposed of at approved landfill sites. Contact your local council for further information. Be guided by the relevant timber associations but, generally speaking, it may not be advisable to use CCA-treated timber for animal cages if the animal likes to chew on wood — for example, for bird cages.
Alternative timber treatments Arsenic-free alternative timber treatment products are available and registered for use in Australia. These products control a similar range of pests to CCA treatments.
Ask your local hardware store about alternatives that are suitable for your intended project. Things to remember Copper chrome arsenate CCA treated timber is wood that has been treated with a preservative containing copper, chromium and arsenic. As a precaution, you should limit possible exposure to CCA-treated timber chemicals — especially for young children. After a bushfire, keep children and pets away from the CCA-treated timber ash until it is removed, and follow safety precautions for clean up.
More information here. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all environmental health. Related information. Content disclaimer Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Pressure-treated wood containing CCA is no longer used in most residential settings. The chemicals in CCA-treated wood have been shown to leach into the surrounding environment and can transfer to the skin when people touch the wood.
CCA residues on the skin typically result in minimal exposure. The chemical mixture is injected into the wood under pressure so that the wood is saturated with the chemicals. Wood, such as radiata pine, is treated with CCA to prolong its life. It is also commonly used in playgrounds, children's cubby houses, public picnic tables, garden edgings, handrails, boat bulkheads, dock pilings and vineyard stakes.
CCA-treated timber can often be identified when it is new by its green tinge but this fades with time. There is a growing body of scientific evidence that timber treated with CCA poses a danger to both humans and the environment.
As a result, authorities around the world are imposing tighter restrictions on its manufacture, use and disposal. Of greatest concern is the seepage of arsenic, a known human carcinogen, onto the surfaces of CCA-treated timber from where it can be dislodged onto hands and washed off into nearby soil or surrounding water.
Chromium is also a human carcinogen.