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"fixed" into wood uft., p.f", pressure treatment. The treated wood is composed of highly insoluble, leach resistant compounds that remain in wood for decades. Though the CCA preservative is a very toxic liquid, it is rendered chemically "non-bioavailable," or not available to leave the wood and enter into its environment, after pressure treatment. This accounts for its unique, long lasting preserving qualities.

Product labels as proposed by EPA, under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), would have been required for all treated wood. Although the CAP is cunently a voluntary program, the EPA has stated that this labeling requirement may still be enforced, if the agency finds the CAP is not succeeding to educate the public about using treated wood safely.

The CAP, an EPA,/industry-inspired program, is the main vehicle for getting EPA-approved safety information to the

Story at a Glance

Pressurc trcated wood producers, wholesalers and retailers respond to EPA challenge . . industry education program includes Consumer lnformation Sheets . . no burning of pressure trcated wood is most important caution . . other rules are simply good handling and hygiene practices.

buying public. The CIS is the main vehicle for this communication.

The EPA took a hard look at evidence compiled by the industry and other sources, and stated that the benefits derived from the use of CCA-treated wood outweighed any potential risk. But the key safety measure insisted upon by both industry representatives and the EPA concerns the proper disposal of treated wood. Wood treated with inorganic arsenicals, such as CCA, should not be. burned.

"Summaries of independent tests say that combustion products from burning Wolmanized southern pine lumber were no more toxic than those expected from untreated southern yellow pine and Douglas fir," said Conrad Kempinska, technical and regulatory affairs coordinator for Koppers Company, Inc.

"Burning destroys the unique preservative bond within the wood," said Kempinska. "The resulting ashes contain toxic heavy metals which, if not handled properly, may create a health or environmental hazard. It's important that retailers tell their customers about this hazard or at least encourage the end-user to follow all the instructions in the CIS. Tieated wood should be disposed of by burial or by normal trash collection."

The EPA-approved CIS states that CCA-treated wood may be used indoors, as long as all sawdust and construction debris are cleaned up and disposed of (not burned; after construction. The wood product also needs no protec-

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