Is harmful to use treated lumber as cover?
Jeremy
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Is harmful to use treated lumber as cover?
Jeremy
Am not entirely sure if it is illegal to use it, but points to consider: A it`s basically soaked under pressure with a weak aresnic treatment as protection from termites and black carpenter ants. The "treatment has NO effect protecting it from water damage. B as it deteriorates being submerged, the weak aresnic solution dilutes into the surrounding sediments, probabily entering the food chain C you ARE planning to EAT some of those fish you catch off them, right? Personally, will NOT use "treated " wood for those reasons...use LOCUST limbs or OSAGE ORANGE (hedge apple") limbs; in even hyper fertile waters will last 10- 15+ yrs...a "treated" 2X4 4-7 yrs tops...
Treated 4x4 have been used for boat dock and walk ways for years down here. Some well over 25 years old.
Treated lumber no longer contains any Arsenic and has not for about 5 years. Nothing harmful in it today. How I know! One of my former customers is largest producer of pressure treating chemical in the world. it also has chemicals to prevent water damage and rot.
Honestly wasn`t aware of that! I humbly stand corrected...Yrs ago (mid 80`s) we had to were rubber gloves inside our work gloves for awhile, apparently there was a mill that was adding TOO much and since arsenic WILL get asorbed by skin, our construction crew supervisor MADE us wear them ANYTIME we were handling it! Did that for about 3 months over the summer...
Copper and other compounds are also of concern about leaching into the water.
Here is some in-depth info on which wood to use:
http://www.wwpinstitute.org/mainpage...e_August06.pdf
That's the main reason they outlawed it. What really got the ball rolling against it was play ground equipment. They found it in the ground around play grounds and home gyms and swing sets. Some kids were tested and found to have high levels of arsenic in them. The customer of mine has spent millions redoing all their formulas to come up with a non toxic formula that still prevents rot and keeps termites out. They also have greatly reduced the amount of copper and other heavy metals that they used.
The army corp says you can't use treated in their impoundments.
Why take a chance with all the contaminates already in our water?
I agree with Nimrod, Why mess with it? Way to many other easier,safe and cheaper products to use as fish habitat.