In article
,
TimK 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.
--

Billy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KVTf...ef=patrick.net
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=7WBB0s...eature=related