So today, we found out that the Copper Green that I am so fond of is not to be used on interior wood surfaces. Apparently, it is for external use only. Whoops! I guess I shouldn't have insisted the contractor use it, eh?
Anyway......today and tomorrow was supposed to be installation of insulation but now we can't do that until we remediate my marvelous mold remediation idea. I have been told that to mediate this issue, they will have to wash the walls down with soapy water and then put on two coats of primer to seal all the wood. This will begin on Monday.
In the meantime, I have spoken to the producer of Copper Green and unfortunately have not really gotten any answers other than it is for external use only. The guy there told me to read the technical sheet and the MSDS and that these documents would answer all my questions. Well, I have read the technical sheet and the MSDS for Copper Green and have found no real evidence that using this product on the interior of our house should have caused the alarm it seems to have created. In fact, the technical sheets from the producers actually say, and I quote "The copper in Copper Green reacts with the cellulose of wood. As a result, it is not easily lost from the wood by leaching". So the product should stay in the wood whether the wood is inside or outside the house..... Now I do realize that by spraying this product on the walls, we have inadvertently sprayed the plumbing, electrical wires, and audio/visual cabling. The material that has adhered to these surfaces will not soak in and will very slowly evaporate so it would be good to wipe down these surfaces to remove the solution. But the wood should be good to go, as stated in the technical sheets.
Further, in reading the MSDS for 70% Copper Napthenate, I have found that this substance is an irritant to skin and eyes and is slightly hazardous in the case of inhalation or ingestion. I also see that there are potential chronic health effects listed for extended exposure to 70% Copper Napthenate. However, the first aid measures described to alleviate the irritations caused by 70% Copper Napthenate are exactly the same as those described to alleviate the irritations caused by Acetone (i.e. nail polish remover), and the potental chronic health effects that are listed on the MSDS for 70% Copper Napthenate are also exactly the same as those listed on the MSDS for Acetone. The solution we are using is a 10% solution of copper napthenate so we are in even less peril. I am not trying to belittle the fact that the guys had to work with this stuff; I just don't think we have to call in the HazMat.
There is concern that the material will outgas in the future and create a poor air quality. Well, we certainly don't want that, but again the technical sheets state that the solution is not easily lost by leaching.
Frankly, my biggest concern in reading all the literature on Copper Green is that it is FLAMMABLE. I don't like that word. According to the MSDS, the flashpoint of Copper Green is between 150-250 F. Well, s&^%$&t. We spent all this time and money designing and building a house that will survive another wildfire only to create a fire hazard inside the house!!!! What was I thinking?? But I should take a breath because what the MSDS sheet does not tell me is what the flashpoint of the treated wood is and that will be the critical data point.
Well, at least the contractor is being (overly?) cautious and will cover all the treated wood with two coats of primer. Perhaps this will reduce the chance of losing the house to fire again....
Anyway, now I have had my little rant and I feel much better. It looks like my mold abatement technique will set back our construction by about two weeks. But we have been out of the house for 25 months so what's a couple more weeks!