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Better Us Than Uncle Sam

Th. pressure treated wood industry is currently I in the midst of an industry wide effort to convince the Environmental Protection Agency that private industry can best inform the consumer as to the safe use of treated wood. In a 1985 seftlement, the EPA gave industry until June 30, 1986, to show that it is not necessary for the EPA to regulate the treated wood industry under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Wisely, industry opted to patrol its own house and keep Uncle Sam as far away as possible.

By all reports, the pressure treated wood industry has and is doing an effective job through the Consumer Awareness Program (CAP) and use of Consumer Information Sheets (CIS). From what we've heard, compliance with the CAP is widespread and nearly universal. It all happened relatively quickly and we think the industry is to be commended for its prompt and wholehearted participation.

Whatever the EPA finallv decides as to who will do what, at least one benefit has alreacly been logged by the treaters. The EPA-approved CIS material clearly shows that treated wood use requircs only common sense, an awareness of the product, and how to use it. No mysteries, nothing rteird. Now the public knows for certain that pressure treated wood is like the thousands ofother products they encounter every day; used according to directions it's completely safe.

As the builder, contractor, remodeler and horne handyman become more aware of the proper use and handling of these producs, it seems likely that pressure treated wood use will expand considerably.

More than two months remain before the EPA says it will decide if a toxic labeling program will be required. Yet, whichever way they decide, industry can be proud of the job done so far in both meeting the government challenge ard helping their customers.