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Last year i sectioned off part of my garden and ...

last year i sectioned off part of my garden and laid some decking.There were several lengths of decking over,so i built some raised beds in order to grow vegetables this season.as the decking was factory treated.I am now worried that any food i grow in the raised beds may be poisonous, or can i still eat it. i will be grateful for any advise.thank you.

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Don't worry about it. Wood is no longer treated with arsenic.

Posted 2009-04-01T13:03:50Z
 
1 helpful answer

Information from http://cetulare.ucdavis.edu/mg/articles/n032504.htm

CCA was removed from consumer markets in 2004 but can still be used for industrial purposes.

Studies have proven that most of the elements used in CCA are fixed in the wood, however some amounts of arsenic, chromium and copper is dislodged from the lumber with exposures to rain and water. The chemicals that leach from CCA-treated lumber are rapidly adsorbed by soil particles. The amount in the soil decreases rapidly with distance from the treated lumber. Vegetables grown immediately adjacent to treated wood may incorporate limited amounts of arsenic, but based on US Public Health service standards, these vegetables would still be safe for human consumption. Over time, soil adjacent to treated lumber in a raised bed garden will likely be mixed and distributed throughout the garden area, thereby diluting the effect of the arsenic that is leached.

Posted 2009-07-27T00:33:05Z
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Discover the difference you can make in your life!

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Treated wood has come a long way. I too use treated wood for my raised beds.

Posted 2009-08-06T17:25:37Z
 
138 helpful answers

Your direction,not your intention,determines your destination

Don't worry about it. If it was toxic they wouldn't be selling it now. I use the square fence posts in my garden every year and believe me, the food I took out was great. I even add lime to my garden each year and it doesn't have any effect on the wood.Since the posts were treated and they came in different lengths, they were great for raised beds. Been using them for 25 years and haven't gotten sick from my garden yet.

Posted 2009-09-24T16:32:16Z
 
3 helpful answers

I think you'll be fine !!! Great idea too!! TWIN-CITIES GREEN TEAM LLC

Posted 2009-10-18T15:47:19Z

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