Is pressure-treated lumber safe for a backyard playset?
Based on 1 peer-reviewed studyhome
Verdict: Use Caution
Newer pressure-treated wood (post-2003) is better. Older arsenic-treated wood is not.
What's actually in it
Pressure-treated lumber before 2003 used chromated copper arsenate (CCA), which leaches arsenic. After 2003, residential wood switched to alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) or copper azole, which are less toxic but still contain copper biocides.
What the research says
A 2025 case-control study reinforces how important environmental chemical exposures are for kids' health.
For new playsets, choose cedar or redwood, which are naturally rot-resistant. If you have existing CCA wood, seal it with a polyurethane or stain every 2 years.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| PFAS in residential dust and childhood leukemia. | Int J Cancer | 2025 |
What to use instead
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