NEW GENERATION PRESERVED WOOD

            America has depended on wood treated with Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) to make outdoor wooden structures sturdy, stable and safe for over 30 years.  CCA-treated wood has extended the life of these products from just a few years to decades by preventing termite damage and decay that could contribute to unstable or unsafe structures.

            Over the next two years, CCA-treated wood will undergo a transition.  Over the past year, a policy debate about new standards for arsenic in drinking water has come under scrutiny and prompted substantial media attention about CCA-treated wood, thus causing some alarm to consumers.  To be responsive to current and anticipated consumer interest, wood treatment manufacturers told the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) they will make the transition to new generation preservatives for all non-industrial wood products.

            Builders who install CCA-treated lumber should use precautions.  While the EPA looked at the safety of CCA-treated wood as recently as a couple of years ago and reaffirmed its safety when used as recommended, there is now much public concern created as a result of these recent announcements.  To address consumer concern, the preserved wood manufacturers will make the transition to the new generation wood preservatives (which have been in the process of being developed for some time) within a two-year period, with the transition fully completed by December 31, 2003.

            The new preservatives are marketed under the names ACQ Preserve, NatureWood, and Wolmanized Natural Select wood.  Each of these preservatives contain copper-based preservatives without arsenic.  Like CCA, they will protect and extend the life of wood products for decades.

            On a larger scale, the following precautions should be given to your homeowners. You may want to have handouts for customers to take with them.

·        CCA-treated wood should never be burned, as toxic chemicals may be released into the air as smoke and ashes.

·        Consumers who work with CCA-treated wood are encouraged to use common sense to reduce potential exposure to chemicals in the wood.

·        When exposed to sawing, sanding and machining CCA-treated wood outdoors, wear a dust mask, goggles and gloves.

·        Clean up all sawdust, scraps and other construction debris thoroughly and dispose of it in the trash.

·        Do not compost or mulch sawdust or remnants from CCA-treated wood.

·        Those working consistently with CCA-treated wood should wash all exposed areas of their bodies thoroughly with soap and water before eating, drinking or using tobacco products.

·        Work clothes coming into contact with CCA-treated wood should be washed separately from other household clothing before wearing them again.