Treated Pine CCS tests a first in the World.
by Keith Loveridge regarding Chromated Copper Arsenic New regulations introduced in 2004, are listed below. The use of CCA treated timber in retaining walls, skirting boards, tomato and grape stakes, decks, railings and boardwalks in marine environments, has now been disallowed. There is also a ban on importing and exporting CCA timber used in domestic areas. Other prohibited uses include: Roof decking, studs, decking exposed to weather, flooring, sawn posts and columns supporting decks; posts, square fence, light fencing slats, pickets; landscape ties (sawn on all 4 sides), steps for trailer homes, wood wedges to support trailer homes, horse trailer, cattle trailer, trailers constructed of dimensional lumber. It appears that domestic fencing has now been included in the list, which is interesting, because after the Canberra bush fires, the authorities had to remove many tonnes of contaminated ash due to the domestic CCA treated fencing that had burnt down. An Australian study has found that dioxins and furans are present in CCA ash (Environmental Science & Technology #37 pages 4148-4156). The APVMA are still struggling with the issue here, in spite of stating categorically in July 2003 that CCA timber would be banned from certain domestic situations by December 2003. It is now July 2004 and it is still very quiet in Canberra. We have asked the Minister for an explanation of the long delay and have been told that correspondence is on the way. Meanwhile, children continue to be unnecessarily exposed to arsenic, chromium and copper. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - http://www.epa.gov CCA Guidance – Questions and Answers - June 17, 2004 As of December 31, 2003, wood intended to be used in residential settings cannot be treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA). Existing stocks of the wood may be sold by retailers until such stocks are exhausted, and consumers may continue to buy and use the wood for as long as it is available. In order to ensure clear guidance to wood treaters and others on what uses of CCA are allowed and what uses are discontinued, EPA has prepared this guidance document to ensure that CCA is being used consistently with the terms of the December 31st phase-out. Since there are so many types of dimensional lumber with a variety of uses, it is important to provide clear, easy-to-understand, and consistent guidance for the uses that can continue. Similarly, it is also important to specifically identify the types of wood that can no longer be treated with CCA products. What is the Agency's position on the use of CCA to treat wood used in the construction of residential retaining walls? As of December 31, 2003, CCA cannot be used to treat wood that will be used in the construction of retaining walls in residential settings. The Agency has concern about the possibility of such treated wood being used in the residential market and the resulting potential for exposure. There are a number of alternatives to CCA-treated wood currently available on the market for use in retaining walls, including other wood preservatives, such as ACQ and copper azole, as well as durable woods such as western red cedar, yellow cypress, eastern white cedar, and redwood, and alternatives to lumber, such as synthetic materials and wood composites.