Excessive exposure to inorganic arsenic may be hazardous to your health. Certain activities can facilitate the release of inorganic arsenic, so people working with CCA-treated wood should take a number of precautions, as follows:

• Saw, sand, and machine CCA-treated wood outdoors. Wear a dust mask, goggles, and gloves.
• Clean up all sawdust, scraps, and other construction debris thoroughly and dispose of it in the trash (i.e., municipal solid waste). Do not compost or mulch sawdust or remnants from CCA-treated wood.
• Do not burn CCA-treated wood, as toxic chemicals may be released as part of the smoke and ashes.
• After working with the wood, wash all exposed areas of your body, especially the hands, thoroughly with soap and water before eating, drinking, toileting, or using tobacco products.
• Wash your work clothes separately from other household clothing before wearing them again.

These precautions will reduce your exposure from inhaling or ingesting sawdust, protect your eyes from flying particles, and prevent exposure to toxic smoke and ash. For more suggestions on avoiding unnecessary exposure to CCA, the Agency has identified some Common Sense Tips. Before working with CCA-treated wood, always consult the Consumer Safety Information Sheet, which is also available in hard copy at 1-800-282-0600.

• EPA does not believe there is any reason to remove or replace CCA-treated structures, including decks and playground equipment.
• EPA is not recommending surrounding soils be removed or replaced.
• While available data are very limited, some studies suggest that applying certain penetrating coatings (e.g., oil-based semi-transparent stains) on a regular basis (one re-application per year or every other year depending upon wear and weathering) may reduce the migration of wood preservatives from CCA-treated wood.
• In selecting a coating, consumers should be aware that, in some cases, "film-forming" or non-penetrating stains (latex semitransparent, latex opaque, and oil-based opaque stains) on outdoor surfaces such as decks and fences are not recommended, as subsequent peeling and flaking may ultimately have an impact on durability as well as exposure to the preservatives in the wood.
• As always, parents should manage risks to their children. Always wash hands thoroughly after contact with treated wood, especially prior to eating and drinking; and, ensure that food does not come into direct contact with any treated wood.
• Consumers should follow the recommendations in the updated Consumer Awareness Program, including the same precautions that workers should take: wear gloves when handling wood, wear goggles and dust-mask when sawing and sanding, always wash hands before eating, and never burn CCA-treated wood.

While available data are very limited, some studies suggest that applying certain penetrating coatings (e.g., oil-based, semi-transparent stains) on a regular basis (e.g., once per year or every other year depending upon wear and weathering) may reduce the migration of wood preservative chemicals from CCA-treated wood. In selecting a finish, consumers should be aware that, in some cases, "film-forming" or nonpenetrating stains (e.g., latex semitransparent, latex opaque, and oil-based opaque stains) on outdoor surfaces such as decks and fences are not recommended, as subsequent peeling and flaking may ultimately have an impact on durability as well as exposure to the preservatives in the wood. Talk with your local hardware store about available coatings.

It should not be used where routine contact with food or animal feed can occur. Do not use CCA-treated wood for cutting boards, counter tops, bee hives, compost, mulch, or structures or containers for storing human food or animal feed. Furthermore, since some animals like to eat wood, CCA-treated wood should not be used where animals can chew on the treated wood. Also, do not use where treated wood may come into direct or indirect contact with drinking water. See the Guidance for Uses of Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) AWPA Commodity Standards (numeric order) for allowed and disallowed uses and examples.