Reaction to CCA treated timber

[Mr Ed]

Yesterday and today I was preparing stock for a saw bench. It being Christmas I decided to use what I had, which was some CCA 6X2 sawn stock and plane it up to suit.

I have a cough / cold anyway, so thought nothing of it yesterday when I felt worse in the evening. But after working on it some more today I began to realise that I was having an allergic reaction to the dust, despite using extraction and wearing a mask most of the time. Nasty cough and also red and itchy skin.

I've used loads of CCA before, but only ever planed it up once and seem to recall feeling a bit odd after that, but never made the connection.

Having had a read around on the net, CCA timber is thought by the Australians and Americans to be a health risk, but no info on any UK sites that I found. Anyway, lesson learned I won't be doing that again.

Anyone else experienced this, or is no-one else stupid enough to machine treated timber?

Ed

 

[OPJ]

I've also had rashes on my arms from working with this stuff but, what you're buying shouldn't be CCA (Copper, Chrome and Arsenic)... An EU regulation came in to force a few years ago and this substance was banned and has since been replaced generally by ACQ (I forget what that stands for but it doesn't contain arsenic!).

People generally recommend barrier cream for skin protection.

 

[johnjin]

Thanks Olly
You answered my question before I could ask it.
Never came across CCA before that I can remember.

John

 

[studders]

It would seem you can still buy it if you're a trade or industrial user.

 

[Mr Ed]

This is what it was;

http://www.harlowbros.co.uk/timber-merc ... ted-timber

So you're right Olly its not CCA, thats just what they still refer to it as in the yard. Maybe its psychosomatic, or my cold is worse than I thought, because this sounds fairly harmless.

Ed

 

[ondablade]

I seem to recall Ed reading somewhere that treated timber in general is not very friendly, even the so-called safe ones. I guess that to kill bugs and mold it can't be that nice.

Creosote too is a benzene containing compound that's not very nice either. (carcinogenic tendencies) Boron isn't very nice either, although it may be dependent on the form it's in.

You'll find that even if it's a bit nasty that the manufacturers safety data sheets tread a fine line, and that if you are not very familiar with the language there won't be anything in there to put you off using the stuff.

That said sensitisation can result from pretty much anything at any time - it needn't necessarily be the treatment although you have to finger it as a prime suspect....