Thread: Timber toxicity question

I would avoid using CCA treated wood where a 5 yo child could regularly touch it.

Here is a bit to read about CCA timber, the short story is, no don't use for kids play areas/equipment.

Yes, they may not lick it directly but transfer from hands to mouth could be a concern. They possibly have enough exposure to CCA from other sources like playgrounds. I acknowledge that council playgrounds have been getting rid of such equipment over the past 10 years though. Is there any reason to not use untreated pine?

Originally Posted by aldav

Yes, they may not lick it directly but transfer from hands to mouth could be a concern. They possibly have enough exposure to CCA from other sources like playgrounds. I acknowledge that council playgrounds have been getting rid of such equipment over the past 10 years though. Is there any reason to not use untreated pine?

The palings are about a dollar each from Bunnings and I have a stack of them for fixing the fence as it fails, so I'd rather use what I have than buy new timber. Perhaps they'd be safe if I painted or varnished them?

Originally Posted by Manupatree

The palings are about a dollar each from Bunnings and I have a stack of them for fixing the fence as it fails, so I'd rather use what I have than buy new timber. Perhaps they'd be safe if I painted or varnished them?

Please note this is my personal opinion only. Were I in your shoes, talking about a kid, and their health, versus paying for some new and safer material, I don't think I'd be taking a chance.

Whilst painting it may make it safe, the other option is getting something that isn't treated, and that way you know for sure.

This is one of those sort of situations when I think about what might happen in 20 years time, when the child now has some ill effects or issues, and whilst I may never even know if the treated material was at fault, I'd kick myself and say "If only...".

After all, we're talking about arsenic here - it's not the most friendly substance we can expose a 5 year old to!

Not intending this to be read as "having a go", just speaking plainly about the way I'd think about it - to each their own.

Nobody is going to say CCA is safe. Both arsenic and chromium are very toxic, that we know. All toxins have a minimum dosage rate but it's impossible to predict what that might be when considering potential long term effects on children because the studies haven't and probably can't be done. There's too many variables. For example, we all have at least one asbestos fibre in our lungs. Some people get asbestosis or mesothelioma but the rest of us don't. Same with sun exposure. I'd play it safe because science simply doesn't know. Keep the palings for the fence and nip down to Bunnies and pick up some cheap ply or OSB for the kids' cubby.

mick

Originally Posted by Manupatree

Perhaps they'd be safe if I painted or varnished them?

I would think that if they were painted (with at least two coats) they would be safe, but would do a periodic inspection to make sure there are no exposed pieces from chipping or whatever. Just don't use some old lead based paint

I pre-painted all my CCA fencing components before construction but for a different reason (to prevent rot very long term). There are nil surfaces with exposed timber, even those that are surface to surface, such as the joints of rails/posts.

When I built the vege garden I was concerned about the CCA leaching into the soil, particularly where they were bloody great gobs of it on the sleepers. So I sanded them with 40 grit and then put two coats of waterbased bitumen. The was despite reading that the leach out rate is very very low into the soil for perhaps 30cm distance, and furthermore the take up rate for plants is also very very low (so a low take up rate of a low amount).

Thanks all for your input. You've convinced me -- palings for the fence and untreated pine for the cubby.

It's a better idea - the untreated pine won't have the danger of splinters either because it will be DAR. Probably a good idea to paint it anyway for some sort of reasonable longevity, unless it's not exposed to weather.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

It's a better idea - the untreated pine won't have the danger of splinters either because it will be DAR. Probably a good idea to paint it anyway for some sort of reasonable longevity, unless it's not exposed to weather.

It's not exposed to weather but I'll probably have to paint it pink anyway.

As it is above ground application you may wish to consider LOSP treated pine.

I have an idea. PM sent.

Regards
Paul

I’d just buy some untreated pine and use that. If I needed to use it, I’d just paint it and wouldn’t worry about it. But the main thing I’m never happy about is I end up cutting it somewhere (outdoors) without dust collection (using cheap tools) because I don’t want it in the workshop getting resin and crap all over my good tools where I have good DC.

I have had close dealings with mills and treatment plants in the past and i would have no problems with CCA as play equipment for children as long as it is painted and given a routine inspection.