On Mon, 21 Dec 1998, Ken Follett wrote:

> At the IPTW in MD last month someone remarked to me that a new environmental
> hazard problem is arising from the chemicals in Wolmanized "pressure treated"
> lumber leaching into the soil. Seems that there will be a problem w/
> contaminaton of soil beneath suburban decks, as well as in agricultural
> applications. I'm curious to know more.
>
> ][<en
I think the preservative in Wolmanized lumber is chromated copper
arsenate.  The chromium and arsenic components of that chemical are toxic
to humans.  That could be why the leached deposits are a problem.  I've
heard that gardeners have been discouraged from using pressure treated
lumber for edging of gardeing plots.

-Dean