I built two raised beds with 2x12 PT lumber. Knowing that PT lumber should not be used for edible gardening, even thought the manufacturers have changed the chemicals to a copper compound. I initially lined the entire inside of the box with 4mm plastic sheeting and stapled to to the top edge. I did not realize that the plastic would become brittle and shred.I am wondering if I could pull the dirt back and paint Kilz on the inside of the box to seal it. Is Kilz non toxic? Is the new PT lumber really dangerous as it leaches into vegetable garden soil?
About the only way you are going to feel any ill effects of pressure treated lumber, old or new is if you take a couple of feet of it and grind it into saw dust and eat the stuff and then the most likely affect is that you will be constipated. I have used pressure treated lumber for over 30 years to create raised beds and have never had any ill effects. I think the supposed threat from the use of pressure treated is just an extreme example of the far left trying to make reasonable people feel guilty about being normal. Sure I would not let my 10 month old child, if I had one, play on wet pressure treated on my deck but I wouldn't let that child play on the same wet deck if it were of any other wood either.
PT wood since 2003 has no arsenic in it. It is safe. The older PT had arsenic, copper and chromenium. Only the arsenic is dangerous to humans. Todays wood is safer than the older stuff.
They used to build raised beds from RR ties. They are far more toxic than pressure treated lumber and nobody died or got sick ever. Besides if there was a problem with chemicals in the lumber, don't you think it would kill the plant ? Relax. Your garden and plants will be fine.
About the only way you are going to feel any ill effects of pressure treated lumber, old or new is if you take a couple of feet of it and grind it into saw dust and eat the stuff and then the most likely affect is that you will be constipated. I have used pressure treated lumber for over 30 years to create raised beds and have never had any ill effects. I think the supposed threat from the use of pressure treated is just an extreme example of the far left trying to make reasonable people feel guilty about being normal. Sure I would not let my 10 month old child, if I had one, play on wet pressure treated on my deck but I wouldn't let that child play on the same wet deck if it were of any other wood either.
PT wood since 2003 has no arsenic in it. It is safe. The older PT had arsenic, copper and chromenium. Only the arsenic is dangerous to humans. Todays wood is safer than the older stuff.
They used to build raised beds from RR ties. They are far more toxic than pressure treated lumber and nobody died or got sick ever. Besides if there was a problem with chemicals in the lumber, don't you think it would kill the plant ? Relax. Your garden and plants will be fine.
