Burning Copper Azole Treated Wood

Material safety information copper azole treated wood products page.

Burning copper azole treated wood.

Copper azole and alkaline copper quaternary treatments both contain a fungicide. Why pressure treated wood is not safe to burn. Copper azole is a water based wood preservative that prevents fungal decay and insect attack. On january 1 2004 the wood industry throughout north america has ceased to produce pressure treated wood treated with cca chrome copper and arsenic for residential use replacing this chemical with what is generically called non arsenic treatments primarily acq and copper azole ca both of which contains no arsenic but much more copper.

In 2013 a different technology micropro. Pressure treated wood however avoids these problems by exposing the wood to pressurized chemicals that deters insects and prevents decay. Follow the safe practices listed below when working with pressure treated wood. It is a fungicide and insecticide.

As with any fungicide treated materials the lumber should be handled with gloves as well as a dust mask when sawing sanding or machining the lumber. Pressure treated wood has gone through a process that uses high pressure to force a solution of water and preservative agents deep into the lumber to help extend its useful lifespan. However some preservative may migrate from the pressure treated wood into surrounding soil over time and there may be incidental contact with skin during construction or use. Chips sawdust and debris from treated wood are considered hazardous waste and should not be burned or disposed of at any location other than those specified by local government agencies.

The copper deters insects and the fungicide prevents soil rotting the lumber. Because acq and copper azole contain so much more copper you can expect to pay from 15 to 35 more than you paid for cca lumber. Ca is a water based preservative that can be cleaned and painted. It may look the same as traditional wood giving you a false of sense of security but pressure treated wood is not safe to burn.

More copper makes the wood more expensive. 3 of 4 date of issue. Toxic chemicals will be emitted in the smoke and ashes from treated wood can be hazardous to livestock or wildlife. Precautions for use continued personal protection for normal work on dry treated wood a dust mask and goggles should be worn as protection from wood dust when machining or sawing.

Water based preservatives like copper azole leave wood with a clean paintable surface after they dry. The active ingredients commonly used in treated wood are alkaline copper quaternary acq copper azole ca or micronized copper azole mca. Copper azole is a registered fungicide for treatment of wood. To make the new preservatives effective their copper content has been boosted substantially from around 18 to 96 in some cases.

Never burn treated wood. Micronized copper azole penetrates into and remains in pressure treated wood for a long time.