Follow these precautions from the Environmental Protection Agency when you work with pressure-treated lumber:
1. Dispose of treated wood by ordinary trash collection or burial. Treated wood should not be burned in open fires or in stoves, fireplaces, or residential boilers because toxic chemicals may be produced as part of the smoke and ashes. Treated wood from commercial or industrial use (e.g., construction sites) may be burned only in commercial or industrial incinerators or boilers in accordance with state and federal regulations.
2. Avoid frequent or prolonged inhalation of sawdust from treated wood. When sawing and machining treated wood, wear a dust mask. Whenever possible, these operations should be performed outdoors to avoid indoor accumulations of airborne sawdust from treated wood.
3. When power-sawing and machining, wear goggles to protect eyes from flying particles.
4. After working with the wood and before eating, drinking or using tobacco products, wash exposed areas thoroughly.
5. If preservatives or sawdust accumulate on clothes, launder before reuse. Wash work clothes separately from other household clothing.

Safety
The following site precautions are recommended by the EPA:
1. Wood pressure-treated with waterborne arsenical preservatives may be used inside residences as long as all sawdust and construction debris are cleaned up and disposed of after construction.
2. Do not use treated wood for cutting-boards or counter-tops or animal feed containers.
3. Only treated wood that is visibly clean and free of surface residue should be used for patios, decks and walkways.
4. Treated wood should not be used where it may come into direct or indirect contact with public drinking water, except for uses involving incidental contact such as docks and bridges.

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