Carpentry and Woodworking - I used treated 2x4's for indoor loft project is this a big mistake?

This was done in my stepson's room. I could not find untreated 2x4's that were long enough so got treated. This is what the project was:

2x4's were cut and bolted to wall studs a perimeter around part of his bedroom wall. I then used some joist hangers and ended up with total of 5 rows of joists, so it sort of looked like a new floor above ground coming out from part of his wall. I then used untreated sheets of plywood covering the top and the bottom via screws. We sealed the platform edges with caulking and painted the platform. I am just worried if fumes from the treated wood are going to get out of this or will they pretty much be sealed within the two sheets of untreated plywood and paint. Am I being overly paranoid? thanks!

billyt,

Welcome to the forums.

Pressure-treated wood is normally intended for outdoor use only. The only exception I have heard of to this rule (check with your local building inspector on this one) is the use of pressure-treated wood in place of Douglas fir for sill plates in new construction. Sill plates are the lowest framing boards in a wood home.

Even though pressure treated wood that you can purchase now no longer contains any levels of arsenic (unless purchased prior to 2003), it still may contain fumes that you wouldn't want to breath.

Thanks for the info. after constructed and uncovered there was definitely strong smell in the room (had windows open), but after covering the top and bottom with untreated plywood, sealing every single spot with caulking and 3 coats of paint top and bottom I can smell nothing now. I guess that doesn't mean much if there is something odorless rising through the plywood sheets and paint. I would think the whole unit is now fairly sealed but I'm no expert..

The chemical stays in the wood unless you generate smoke or sawdust. It's a water-based process, there are no solvents (that I know of).

I would re do it

what if he comes down witht something 10 - 20 years down the line . you would always wonder if that could have contributed to it .

I am more concerned about particle board (formaldyhede) than treated lumber.

I'm more concerned about the use of 2/4 s as a living platform/ if this is case