I need cut down my pool deck to dispose of it. Its old and made of treated wood so I think it has arsenic?

Question

What respirator filters or protective equipment can be worn to protect from arsenic if it is in the wood. We were going to cut it down and burn it or cut it down and dumpster it. I heard even cutting it is bad but its gotta be taken down sooner or later. Don't they make respirators cartridges for arsenic or no? Were can I get the wood tested to find out if it has it in it? We have no way of telling. Its like 20 years old.

Answer 1

Any Respirator will work, even the thin white paper throwaways. The idea is not to breath in the dust as you cut it up.No special clothing or additional protection is needed or necessary... ALL CCA Treated Lumber has Zinc, Chromium and Arsenic in it to stop bugs and insects from eating it, and as an additional wood preservative. No need to panic, just be a little cautious when cutting it up. Try and do it in an area that you can vacuum up the sawdust with a Shop Vac when you are done. I have built decks myself for the past 26 years before the problem was even made public and never wore a respirator ever. I have never suffered any ill effects nor have any of my contractor friends had problems either. There have never been any recorded or reported cases of cancer or death related to the use of CCA treated wood.Seriously...No need to over-react..

NOTE* Do not burn the pieces after it is cut up..haul them away or to the dump.....The smoke from burning it is irritating to lungs........

Answer 2

It doesn't have arsenic. If it did, it would be
a solid, (dust), and any old dust filter will do.
Sawdust is not fine enough to be a severe
inhalation hazard, though a dust respirator is
advisable. Do watch out for slivers though.
If it's only 20 Yr.s old, you probably don't have
to worry about creosote, though any volatiles
will be long gone in any event.
If you burn it, don't stand downwind.
If you dumpster it, its just 'construction debris`.

Answer 3

Im sure the levels are no longer dangerous, but you would probably be better off using one of those white cottony mouth covers-inexpensive. I would not burn the wood though. Probably just throw out.