Burning Cacodylic Acid Treated Oak Trees: How Safe?

Cacodylic acid (dimethylarsinic acid) is used to kill oak trees to prevent the spread of oak wilt by root contact. Cacodylic acid persists with little metabolism in close proximity to the point of treatment when a hypo-hatchet is used. Little movement was observed either vertically or horizontally from the point of application. Combustion of treated wood gives primarily arsenate in the particulate matter and residual ash. Small amounts of trimethylarsine oxide, cacodylate, and methanearsonate were found in the particulate and gaseous fractions. Wood sections cut more than 0.3 meter from the point of injection should not present an undue risk to the home owner using treated trees as a fuel source since levels at that distance are similar to control trees.

You must be logged in to download any documents. Please login (login accounts are free) or learn how to Become a Member