Table of Contents
What is ammoniacal copper quaternary?
Alkaline copper quaternary, usually abbreviated ACQ, is a type of water-based wood preservative product containing a soluble copper(II) complex and quaternary ammonium alkyl- or aryl-substituted compounds (“quats”). Thus the product was originally called ammoniacal copper/quaternary ammonium.
What chemicals are in ACQ?
All ACQ types contain two active ingredients, which may vary within the following limits: copper ethanolamine complex or basic copper carbonate, which is the primary fungicide and insecticide; and a quaternary ammonium compound (quat), which provides additional fungicide and insect resistance properties.
What is ACQ used for?
The absence of chemicals like arsenic or chromium has made ACQ one of the most widely used residential wood preservatives. The EPA has registered ACQ wood treatments for use on lumber, fence posts, decking, landscape ties, utility poles, marine pilings, and other uses.
Is ACQ toxic?
Results showed that ACQ-treated wood is essentially non-toxic by normal dermal and oral exposures.
What is ACQ approved?
Pressure treated lumber is treated with Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ), an environmentally friendly water-based preservative that is free of arsenic and chromium. However, ACQ treated lumber is more corrosive to metal, so the right fastener is key to a safe, long lasting deck, fence or other outdoor project.
Is ACQ safe for vegetable gardens?
The relatively new chemical treatment ACQ (alkaline copper quaternary) is safe to use in food gardens. Some of the copper may leach over time from the lumber, but the risk to human health is considered to be low.
Is ACQ the same as pressure treated lumber?
Is all treated lumber ACQ?
Is Bunnings treated pine ACQ?
ACQ treated pine looks much the same as CCA treated pine. Both start out green in colour, then weather to grey over time. ACQ timber is not generally stored as a stock item in mainstream stores such as Bunnings, Mitre 10 or timber yards but it can be ordered by them. Pine Solutions is a distributor of ACQ timber.
Is copper treated wood safe for vegetable gardens?
Copper is considered less toxic compared to arsenic. Manufacturers of pressure-treated wood with micronized copper quaternary claim that their lumber won’t leach any copper into the soil and therefore, it’s safe for all uses, including making garden beds.
Is CCA better than ACQ?
Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ) and Copper Azole (CA) generally leach more than CCA-treated wood. However, the parts that are released into the environment tend to be lower in toxicity.
What are the disadvantages of quaternary ammonium compounds?
When quaternary ammonium is mixed with organic matter it loses its effectiveness. This makes it an ineffective disinfectant in situations where blood, urine, fecal matter or soil may be present.
Is copper azole toxic?
Manufacturers of pressure-treated wood with micronized copper quaternary claim that their lumber won’t leach any copper into the soil and therefore, it’s safe for all uses, including making garden beds. Copper Azole and Alkaline copper quaternary contain fungicide and copper but not arsenic.
Is it OK to use treated lumber for raised garden beds?
Modern Pressure-Treated Lumber According to the American Wood Protection Association and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, lumber treated with ACQ is safe for garden use. Its durability and nontoxicity make it among the best woods for raised garden beds.