Treated Pine Fence Pailings and Arsenic

[gippslandhome]

Hello to all in the community. 😁

You may have read a recent post we put up titled Macca's Planter Boxes.

I wanted to ask the members of the community what information and knowledge you may have in regards to arsenic traces found in the treated pine pailings for purchase at Bunnings.

I have read in general that in relation to planter boxes that contain root vegetables, there is a small amount of arsenic that can be absorbed through the soil, but this is only organic in nature.

Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

Kind regards Rob

[Bunnings]

Thanks for your message Rob.

Health hazards may result from exposure to copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information and tips, click on the links contained on the Health and Safety section of the Bunnings website.

[greygardener · Accepted solution]

This has come up before. There's a lot of debate about the risk of contamination. Some people use builders plastic to line the inside of the beds as a precaution. 

You might find these articles interesting

https://www.growveg.com.au/guides/treating-wood-for-vegetable-gardens/

https://www.selfsufficientme.com/health/is-using-treated-wood-safe-for-growing-vegetables-fruit

https://laidbackgardener.blog/2017/06/25/is-treated-wood-safe-in-the-vegetable-garden/

http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/factsheets/vegie-garden-timber/9431242

Theres also debate on this forum

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2651347