On Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:02:30 -0700, TimK wrote:
> 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
Cedar would be safe, so would redwood.
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