Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA),
which was used to preserve pressure treated wood, is the subject
of several studies and news articles. There exists a potential
danger to people who come in contact with them on a regular basis.
Other wood preservatives are also harmful but not as news worthy.
Below you'll find links to study reports provided
by scientists and educational research facilities concerning CCA,
how its use in outdoor wood is necessary, and the types of coatings
required to protect you from them. Notice that CCA was used to
keep the wood from decay and that the coatings recommended by
these studies are high molecular weight polymers, just like EPL.
Other leading deck-coating products do not provide the substantial
coating that is suggested for protection from CCA.
CCA's are no longer allowed in outdoor lumber.
A new lumber treatment called ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary)
is a non-arsenic pressure treatment that has less history in protection
of the rot and appearance of your outdoor wood. We would recommend
staining this type of wood with a non water-repelant type stain
then applying EPL to keep your outdoor wood beautiful.
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