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Sticker Sense for New Wood Preservatives

Treated lumber is recommended for many outdoor projects, such as decks, patios, and fences, to prevent natural decay and destruction over time. But in 2003, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned a common wood preservative, chromated copper arsenate or CCA, from residential use due to health risks. So with a number of new wood preservatives on the market, how do you know which treated lumber is best for your project?

Look at the product’s sticker for the following information:

  • Compliance with American Wood Protection Association or other regulatory organization standards
  • Use category (above-ground or ground-contact)
  • Name of preservative
  • Amount of preservative in the wood

Consult the association’s helpful guide for homeowners to learn more about the different types of approved wood preservatives and their uses.