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February 2025

What Chemicals Are Used in Pressure-Treated Lumber?

There are several types of pressure-treated wood on the market, each using different chemical treatments.

There are several types of pressure-treated wood on the market, each using different chemical treatments. Sorting through all the chemical names and acronyms can get confusing, but we’ll keep it simple. At ProWood, we use a treatment called Micronized Copper Azole, or MCA, to protect our pressure-treated lumber.

MCA-treated lumber includes two active ingredients that guard against rot, decay, and termites: copper and tebuconazole. Copper is a widely used metal in everyday applications like plumbing and electrical wiring, making it safe and familiar. Tebuconazole belongs to the azole family, which you might recognize from products like antifungal creams and foot treatments. Both ingredients work together in a water-based solution that’s over 99% water, with less than 1% active ingredients.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved our preservative treatment, confirming that it effectively protects wood from rot and termites when used as intended. This straightforward formulation helps make ProWood's pressure-treated lumber an environmentally friendly choice that’s built to last for decades.