Wood Preserver Safety
Safety is of paramount importance when handling wood preservers due to the chemicals found within them. Industrial wood preservatives are generally not available to the public, and those on sale for DIY use are much safer to use.
Creosote
Creosote may be carcinogenic to humans, and the European Union has banned the sale of wood treated with creosote. Contact with large amounts of this wood preserver causes rashes, chemical burns on the eye, convulsions, kidney and liver problems, unconsciousness and even death. Contact with low levels of creosote can cause damage to the cornea of the eye and skin damage.
Creosote products in the garden do not need to be removed, as long as the chemical does not come into frequent contact with the skin. Creosote coats most railway sleepers, and these sleepers are occasionally used in raised garden beds. Frequent skin contact means often sitting, leaning against, and walking on the creosote treated product with no barrier between the skin and the creosote.
Creosote Disposal
If a home owner still has tins of creosote from before the ban, this should not be poured down the drain. Instead, the local authority or environmental agency should be contacted and they will advise you on how to safely dispose of the wood preserver.
Copper Chromium Arsenic
Copper-chromium-arsenic (CCA) was another common wood treatment which now has restricted use due to potential toxicity. The arsenic in this wood preserver binds strongly to the wood; however studies have shown that the chemicals can leach out. If you have wood products treated with CCA which comes in contact with humans – such as benches, decking and furniture – applying a paint or sealant will reduce any surface residue arsenic.
Control of Pesticides Regulations
In the UK, all wood preservatives must be approved under the Control of Pesticides Regulations (COPR). Timber treatment plants must conform to the Wood Protection Association Code of Practice for safe design and operation. Plant operatives are required to receive formal training. They must be assessed to check their competence in handling the equipment, chemicals and treated timber found in the plants.
Home Wood Preserver Safety
If applying wood preserver at home, it is important to read the label. It is essential that the user follows the instructions given. The label will tell you whether it is suitable for amateur use and whether personal protective clothing is required. It is particularly important to keep children away from treated areas for a suitable time.
Personal Protective Equipment
If spraying a wood protection product, personal protective equipment such as an ori-nasal mask and clothing is recommended. The clothing should be washed separately to everyday clothing.
Wood Preserver Storage
Tins of wood preserver should be kept in safe storage away from children. Brushes should not be rinsed down the drain, or near water courses, as the chemicals are often toxic to the environment. The label of the wood preservative should be consulted for the best way to clean the brushes. Tins should be disposed of at a waste disposal site, and advice sought to a suitable area within the site to discard it.
Timber that has wood preserver applied to it should never be burnt, as this can release toxic chemicals into the air. Wood treated with CCA should also not be pressure washed.