Use and disposal of impregnated wood

The use of impregnated wood is restricted due to environmental and human health protection. 

Restrictions on the use of impregnated wood

• Impregnated wood classified with use categories 3 or 4 (corresponding to NTR AB or NTR A) is intended for outdoor use. Indoor use is prohibited.
• Treated timber must not be in contact with food products or drinking water.
• Treated timber may not be used in the shelf structures of underground cellars or in well covers.

Remember the following when handling treated wood:

• Use safety gloves and respirator when working on treated wood.
• Avoid grinding or shaving the wood.
• Collect the sawdust and other wood waste, and take it to a waste treatment site for separate collection.
• Do not burn impregnated wood in a fireplace, sauna or barbeque as toxic compounds can be created during burning.

Timber is nowadays arsenic- and creosote-free

Previously, timber was preserved with wood preservatives containing chromium, arsenic and copper (CCA), as well as creosote. Impregnated timber sold nowadays is chromium- and arsenic-free. Arsenic was used for preserving timber until early 2000.

All impregnated wood waste must be brought to separate collection

Remember the following when taking down old structures made of impregnated wood:

• Arsenic-treated timber waste is hazardous waste.
• Impregnated wood waste must be brought to a waste treatment site for separate collection.
• Burning treated wood in household fires is prohibited.