Is Copper Azole Treated Wood Safe

Pressure treated wood has gone through a process that uses high pressure to force a solution of water and preservative agents deep into the lumber to help extend its useful lifespan.

Is copper azole treated wood safe.

Copper azole is registered for a variety uses above and below ground as well as in freshwater and marine decking applications. Is acq and ca pressure treated lumber safe. Copper azole and alkaline copper quaternary treatments both contain a fungicide. Micronized copper azole penetrates into and remains in pressure treated wood for a long time.

Sally brown a research assistant professor of soils at the university of washington knows her way around both food and metals. Studies have shown that arsenic from wood treated with cca leaches into the soil and that copper although much less toxic leaches from acq and copper boron azole cba a variant of ca b. The copper deters insects and the fungicide prevents soil rotting the lumber. Manufacturers are confident of course that these treatments pose no health or environmental problems.

However some preservative may migrate from the pressure treated wood into surrounding soil over time and there may be incidental contact with skin during construction or use. For help selecting the proper type of treated wood for any setting consider consulting the primary standard setting body for treated wood the american wood protection association awpa. Copper azole is a registered fungicide for treatment of wood. The active ingredients commonly used in treated wood are alkaline copper quaternary acq copper azole ca or micronized copper azole mca.