What you need to know about working with treated timber and asbestos in older homes.

Working with treated timber

When working with treated timber, there is a risk of inhalation of noxious fumes and dust.

Guidelines have been put together for people working with Light Organic Solvent Preservatives (LOSP) or copper, chromium and arsenic (CCA) treated timber. These guidelines can be found at www.nztif.co.nz.

The guidelines recommend waiting for the preservatives to dry off before using the treated timber, but if this is not an option, wear protective goggles and use a respirator when cutting or sanding treated timber.

You should also wash your clothes separately from other household clothing and wash your hands before eating, drinking or smoking. Any off-cuts should be disposed of in a proper landfill.

Working with asbestos

Some older homes built before 1983 may have been built with materials that contain asbestos. For example, sprayed ceilings, cement sheeting, some types of floor coverings and some roof materials. Breathing in dust and fibres containing asbestos can cause asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma (a cancer of the chest lining), pleural diseases (including fluid on the lungs, and asbestosis, which is scarring of the lungs). These diseases are crippling, very painful and usually fatal. There are no known cures for asbestos-related diseases.

However, provided the materials containing asbestos are in good condition and have a good coat of paint, there should be no health risk.

If your renovations involve removing or sanding materials that you suspect could contain asbestos, or if you are unsure what the materials are made of, contact your Health Protection Officer of your local District Health Board for advice on identifying and managing this material.

Asbestos materials should only be removed or handled by a contractor experienced in this type of work. Look under ‘Asbestos’ in the Yellow Pages.