I'm working on building an outdoor shower platform with pressure treated (PT) wood, but my son-in-law raised some concerns about it being potentially unsafe. He mentioned that the chemicals in PT wood could leach out and pose a health risk when I'm using the platform. I had planned to stain it with Sikkens Cetrol SRD Natural, but now I'm debating whether I should swap the wood for something like cedar or Trex. Additionally, I wanted to keep using PT for the enclosure to match the platform. It's a simple project aimed at being functional and visually appealing. Any guidance on whether my current setup is safe or if I should rethink my materials?
3 Answers
A lot of the fear around PT wood comes from older times when arsenic was used. The treatment has changed now, and modern PT wood uses materials like micronized copper azole, which is generally considered safe. So for an outdoor shower, it’s probably fine as long as it's not in constant contact with your skin. However, putting it next to your skin daily isn’t ideal, so be cautious!
I'd be careful with PT wood for flooring myself—not due to chemicals, but more because it can get splintered and uncomfortable on bare feet over time. I think PT is good for the structure, but I'd recommend going with Trex or another composite material for the top. Plus, a rubber mat might help with comfort if you stick with the PT.
Honestly, it seems pretty unlikely that you'd run into health issues just from having skin contact with PT wood. It's used for decks and most people walk around in bare feet without any problems. If you're really concerned about exposure, maybe just throw down a slip-resistant mat on top to lessen any contact.
Right! You should be okay for occasional use. Just don't make it a daily foot bath.