BSBER, (NAPSA)—It may be a good idea to build on your knowledge of wood treated with preservatives before building a new deck or playground in your backyard. Since it was introduced more than 70 years ago, wood products treated with the waterborne preservative Chromated Copper Arsenate, or CCA, have performed successfully in a wide variety of applications. That’s just one of the many reasonsit’s the most widely used preservative in the wood treating industry. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and a long list of other agencies have reviewed CCA-treated wood, found it to be safe when used properly, and continue to monitor it. When properly handled and used, pressure-treated wood is safe and will not harm people, plants or animals. The waterborne preservative used to treat the wood has been extensively tested and is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. During the pressure-treatment process, this preservative becomes permanently bonded deep within the wood’s fiber. Thousands of carpenters work with preserved wood every day with no adverse effects. An epidemiological study of carpenters in Hawaii found no harmful health effects or increased mortality because of exposure to CCAtreated wood. lt Find Out The Facts About Treated Wood EF me Properly used, pressuretreated Southern Pine is safe around people, plants or animals. In its Handbook for Public Playground Safety, the Consumer Product Safety Commission affirms the use of CCA-treated wood in accordance with the industry standard for playground equipment. When working with any building material, it’s important to follow safe construction practices. The sameis true when building with CCA-treated wood. Always wear eye goggles and a dust mask when sawing or machining wood. Always use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel nails and hardware to prevent corrosion and rust. Do not burn treated wood, dispose of any scraps through regular trash collection. The Southern Pine Council (SPC) offers a wide variety of publications to help you use treated wood properly. For complete information, including outdoor project plans, contact SPC at Box 641700, Kenner, LA 70064, or visit www.southernpine.com.
