Yikes! Thanks so much for the info. You stopped me from making a big
mistake.
I'm continually shocked by the dangerous chemicals that we are exposed
to every day, just living the American lifestyle.
Can someone suggest a safe wood for planters to grow edible plants? I
see that a lot of planters are made from cedar. Would that be safe?
Thanks again,
Tim
On Apr 29, 6:27 pm, Billy <wildbi...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> In article
> <968f14c5-766d-44fc-bb23-4aec69efb...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
>
> TimK <tjmki...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> > Hi,
>
> > I'm building a couple of wooden planters from scrap lumber. The
> > lumber is pressure treated, but that's all I know about it. I will be
> > growing vegetables in the planters, so I am wondering what I should do
> > to treat the lumber. Should I do anything to the interior surfaces?
> > I'm guessing that stain or paint is not a good idea if I'm going to
> > eat the vegetables grown in the planter.
>
> > Thanks for the advice.
>
> The short answer is that it is a VERY BAD idea, if you plan to eat the
> food. If the garden is strictly ornamental, you will only be poisoning
> the soil. Do not mention this to organic gardeners as they will throw a
> fit. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING???
>
> The long answer, from those who sell wood and wood products,
is:http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/infpre.html
>
> Until 2003, the preservative most commonly used in residential
> pressure-treated lumber was chromated copper arsenate (CCA), an
> extremely toxic chemical. Remember "Arsenic and Old Lace"? How about
> that old box of rat poison you have lurking in the garage? CCA is so
> toxic that the Environmental Protection Agency, over 20 years ago,
> imposed strict guidelines regarding the manufacturing practices of
> companies using CCA.
>
> However, one must distinguish between the toxicity of the chemical and
> the toxicity of the wood product in everyday use. Extensive studies were
> done since the mid 1980's concerning the potential dangers of
> pressure-treated wood. And rightfully so! Large volumes of CCA were
> being used, and the treated wood products were beginning to be widely
> distributed, justifying the need for some hard research.
>
> The research was mixed, but the typical hysteria ensued as attorneys and
> plaintiffs lined up to claim damages from exposure to CCA. In the end,
> the industry agreed to voluntarily eliminate use of CCA for residential
> use. Your local home store or lumberyard is now selling lumber treated
> with (HOPEFULLY) less toxic alternatives... amine copper quat (ACQ) and
> copper azone (CA)... though you may find other chemical combinations in
> specific areas.
>
> # Do not use pressure-treated wood for making cutting boards, or for any
> food preparation surface.
> Picnic tables made of pressure-treated wood have become common, and are
> fine to use for the purpose they were intended... to serve food on (or
> play cards on), not to prepare food on! They should be coated as needed
> with an oil-based wood preservative to seal in the chemical
preservative.
> --
>
>
Billyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KVTfcAyYGg&ref=patrick.nethttp://au.youtube.com/watch?v=7WBB0svwMdY&feature=related
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