Georgia Wood Preserving Company, Inc.




	Consumer Information & Handling Guide for Osmose® Pressure Treated Wood Consumer Information Approved By The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency For Inorganic Arsenical Pressure Treated Wood. Consumer Information This wood has been preserved by pressure-treatment with an EPA-registered pesticide containing inorganic arsenic to protect it from insect attack and decay. Wood treated with inorganic arsenic should be used only where such protection is important. Inorganic arsenic penetrates deeply into and remains in the pressure-treated wood for a long time. Exposure to inorganic arsenic may present certain hazards. Therefore, the following precautions should be taken both when handling the treated wood and in determining where to use or dispose of the treated wood. Use Site Precautions Wood pressure-treated with waterborne arsenical preservatives may be used inside residences as long as all sawdust and construction debris are cleaned up and disposed of after construction. Do not use treated wood under circumstances where the preservatives may become a component of food or animal feed. Examples of such sites would be structures or containers for storing silage food. Do not use treated wood for cutting-boards or countertops. Only treated wood that is visibly clean and free of surface residue should be used for patios, decks and walkways. Do not use treated wood for construction of those portions of beehives which may come into contact with the honey. Treated wood should not be used where it may come into direct or indirect contact with public drinking water, except for uses involving incidental contact such as docks and bridges. Handling Precautions Dispose of treated wood by ordinary trash collection or burial. Treated wood should not be burned in open fires or in stoves, fireplaces or residential boilers because toxic chemicals may be produced as part of the smoke and ashes. Treated wood from commercial or industrial use (e.g. construction sites) may be burned only in commercial or industrial incinerators or boilers in accordance with state and federal regulations. Avoid frequent or prolonged inhalation of sawdust from treated wood. When sawing and machining treated wood, wear a dust mask. Whenever possible, these operations should be performed outdoors to avoid indoor accumulations of airborne sawdust from treated wood. When power-sawing and machining, wear goggles to protect eyes from flying particles. Gloves can provide extra protection against splinters and freshly treated wet wood. Allow freshly treated wet wood to dry thoroughly before handling. Follow good personal hygiene practices in the shop and on the job. After working with the wood, and before eating, drinking and use of tobacco products, wash exposed areas thoroughly. If preservatives or sawdust accumulates on clothes, launder before reuse. Wash work clothes separately from other household clothing. Building Tips Whatever you build with Osmose® brand wood products will last a long time. So, it makes good sense to build in a craftsmanlike manner. Here are some helpful tips to make your job easier and look better. Use galvanized or stainless nails, screws or bolts when working with Osmose® brand wood products. These types of fasteners are corrosion-resistant and will help prevent rust stains on your project. Adhesives add extra holding power. Apply adhesives in accordance with manufacturer's directions. As a general rule, nail boards bark side up (annual rings arc upward) to reduce cupping; however, the best face should be placed up when a defect of the wood is apparent. Fasten thin boards to thicker boards to maintain structural integrity. When nailing or screwing near the edge or end of a board, it's a good idea to drill pilot holes for your fasteners. Pilot holes will help minimize splitting. If the wood is wet after treatment, butt decking boards together firmly. As drying occurs, some shrinkage can be expected. If the wood has been kiln-dried or air-dried after treatment, then allowing for shrinkage is not necessary. The natural color and texture of Osmose pressure treated lumber blends with and complements any surroundings. If you wish to paint or stain Osmose wood, allow it to dry in place for about 60 days then follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Any exposed wood, pressure treated or not, should be protected from the weather. Application of a quality clear water repellent or semi-transparent stain which contains a water repellent will help minimize the cycles of moisture take-up and loss the wood goes through outdoors. The above information was provided by copyrighted material from Osmose Wood Preserving, Inc.