Popular Wood Preservative To Be Phased Out

 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a voluntary decision by industry to move consumer use of pressure-treated lumber products away from preservatives that contain arsenic. This action affects virtually all residential uses of wood treated with chromated copper arsenate, also known as CCA, including wood used in play-structures, decks, picnic tables, landscaping timbers, residential fencing, patios and boardwalks. By January 2004, EPA will not allow CCA products for any of these residential uses.

”This is a responsible action by the industry," said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. "Today's action will ensure that future exposures to arsenic are minimized in residential settings. The companies deserve credit for coming forward in a voluntary way to undergo a conversion and retooling of their plants as quickly as possible.”

For over 50 years CCA has been the preservative of choice in North America and much of the world for the protection of lumber used outdoors. It enjoys a long history of safe and effective use. Arsenic, however, is a known human carcinogen and the EPA believes that any reduction in the levels of potential exposure to arsenic is desirable.

 

EPA has not concluded that CCA-treated wood poses unreasonable risks to the public for existing CCA-treated wood being used around or near their homes or from wood that remains available in stores. EPA does not believe there is any reason to remove or replace CCA-treated structures, including decks or playground equipment. EPA is not recommending that existing structures or surrounding soils be removed or replaced.

Over the next 21 months, the industry will transition to an arsenic-free formulation that was first introduced seven years ago. These products are marketed under the ACQ Preserve® and Osmose NatureWood® brand names and should be widely available through lumberyards by the end of this year. CCA will continue to be the preferred choice for industrial applications, highway construction, utility poles, pilings, timbers, shakes, shingles and certain marine and agricultural uses.

 

For more information, check out the Health and Safety section of the American Wood Preservers Institute web site, www.preservedwood.com. The EPA web page, at www.epa.gov, is another good source. Find information by typing “CCA” in the search box.

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