Timber Frame Preservative Dangers

There are a lot of timber frames that have been treated with wood preservative to maintain them and save them from the ravenous termites that lives everywhere. These products though quite harmless and inert as long as they stay in the ceiling, contain harmful chemicals that may leach into the home releasing toxic substances such as cyanide and other potent pesticides that can kill not only termites but people as well.
If you have recently had your home renovated and the contractor used cheap lumber, they are most likely to have been treated with wood preservative so observe the drying times to prevent them from releasing toxic fumes into the cracks of the ceiling. They dry fairly quickly and smell bad not because of their harmful potential but to give clues as to their presence. Pressure treated lumber is best for they have been pressure treated and dried properly assuring any chemicals remain intact within the roof members.