Thriving and survrvrngfor 75 years

ble impression on McGinnis, however. He lost interest in becoming a lumber producer, and future forays into manufacturing were much smaller in scale. He operated a planing mill in the early '40s, but sold it shortly he established the company as a prime source of quality western forest products, he assembled a network of 30 commission lumber representatives throughout the Southeast and Midwest. Within three vears. the company had become one of the largest and most successful wholesalers of western forest products in the Southeast. after the end of the war. During the 1950s and 1960s, the company also financed a number of small mills in return for exclusive sales arrangements. Primarily, though, the firm has operated as a direct shipment wholesaler. ln 1949, James E. McGinnis, Jr. joined his father in the business. He worked in various departments for about 18 months until he was called to serve in the Korean War. Upon his return from the service in 1952, he gradually assumed management of the company during the next two years, as his father's health was beginning to fail, preventing him from devoting full time to the business.

McGinnis Lumber Co. continued to be a major supplier of western species over the next 30 years. By the mid-1970s, as southern pine lumber began to reestablish its reputation in the marketplace, the company began actively repositioning itself as a major supplier of the species.

In the mid-1950s, James McGinnis saw the opportunity to develop a market for western lumber products in the Southeastern U.S. At the same time, he recognized that these products could not be effectively sold over the telephone or through the mail. So, as rnHE WOOD preserving industry, to a certain extent. is an "invisible industry" because distributors and users generally are not aware of CCA treated products' long history of scientific testing, commercial use and proven performance.

By the time a third generation of the family, James E. "Jim" McGinnis III, joined the firm in 1980, distribution patterns also were changing, especially for western species. With the advent of reload centers and railroad deregulation, distribution centers began promoting the concept of just-in-time delivery. This made it difficult for the company to continue to sell its primary customer base. the retail lumber dealer. So gradually, McGinnis refocused on building business with industrial customers, particularly for southern pine and hardwood species. In early 1981, McGinnis established a still-substantial export business to the Caribbean.

The change in strategy from becoming a high-volume, commodityoriented type firm to a supplier of quality specialty products has been a good decision for the company, which is now enjoying some of the best business in its entire historv.

The situation creates easy entry into the marketplace by competitors touting unsubstantiated claims about their products. Beware of any long term performance claims made by the manufacturers of new building products that only have a few years of field testing or only limited commercial use. In many cases, their claims are muted by disclaimers in the fine print on product literature.

CCA's low-key background also allows the dissemination of alarmist information about treated wood without supporting valid scientific data.

And that's why it's important that everyone involved with building products be able to answer the most commonly asked questions about CCA pressure treated wood.

Q *t use pressure treated lumber?

A Wooa is a plentiful and economical building material, but, untreated, it is subject to attack by insects, microorganisms and fungal decay. Pressure treated wood is protected from these natural predators, ensuring it will last longer. a Aren't chemically treated products dangerous to use in and around the house?

Q Wnut is pressure treatment?

A P."rru." treatrnent is a process by which a chemical preservative (chromated copper arsenate) is forced deep into the wood's cells in a closed cylinder. Following treatment, the preservatives are "fixed" into the wood and resist leaching into surrounding soil or water. CCA is used to produce lumber that is clean, odorless and environmentally safe to use as recommended around people, pets and plants.

A eft., extensive review during the 1980s, the EPA concluded that CCA treated wood did not pose an unreasonable risk to children or adults, either from direct contact with the wood or from contact with surrounding soil where some releases may have occurred. The EPA has not identified any significant health con- cerns from short- or long-term exposure to arsenic residue from pressure treated wood.

0 Where should pressure treated wood be used?

A fn" wood can be used outdoors wherever wood building components require resistance to termites and fungal decay in decks, fences, gazebos, playground equipment, docks, marinas, utility poles, mine shafts, bridges, agricultural stakes, raised garden becis, landscape, agricultural uses and a host of other applications.

Q t it safe for children to play on playground equipment and decks made of treated wood?

A CCe treated wood is widely used for playground equipment. Tests show negligible risk that children who lick their hands after playing on pressure treated wood playground equipment would be exposing themselves to any carcinogenic risk.

A water repellent or wood sealer for pressure treated lumber may be applied periodically to reduce cracking and splitting of wood and the likelihood of children getting splinters.

Q Do"rn't treated wood emit vapors or fumes and that's whv it's banned from indoor use?

A Treated wood does not emit vapors or fumes and may be used indoors for all applications where protection against termites and fungal decay is needed. It should not be used for countertops or cutting boards.

Q Uo* can I use treated wood for a picnic table, if I can't use it for a countertop?

A N"ith", treated or untreated wood is recommended for countertops, but treated wood picnic tables are fine because picnic tables are primarily practices for handling treated or untreated wood. Inhalation of sawdust can cause nose and throat irritation. Protecting your eyes from any foreign matter is advisable. Wearing gloves provides extra protection against splinters, and good personal hygiene should be practiced in the shop and on the job. Hands should be washed after handling any type of wood or after doing any type of construction work. tact with the honey, or structures or containers for storing silage. everyone involved with building products be able to answer the most commonly asked questions about CCA pressure treated wood. used for serving prepared food while a countertop is used primarily as a cutting surface for raw food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not recommend any wood for use as a cutting surface since food particles are likely to be embedded in its porous surface, encouraging bacterial growth.

Q Uo* should I dispose of treated wood?

Q Oo", pressure treated wood cause cancer?

A CCe feated wood has never been shown to cause cancer in humans nor has it been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. In fact, epidemiology studies of treating plant workers and carpenters show no increased risk of cancer as a result of exposure to the preservative treated wood.

Q *" Consumer Information Sheet says I need to wear a dust mask and other protective apparel when sawing treated wood and that I should wash my hands and clothing after use. Does this mean handling the wood is dangerous?

A fn" guidelines posed in the CIS reflect common sense and good safety a Should treated products be kept away from food and water?

After a review. the EPA determined that the benefits of pressure treated wood products outweighed any potential risks. The nation's wood preserving industry agreed to undertake a voluntary Consumer Awareness Program to apprise consumers that Consumer Information Sheets, similar to manufacturers' instructions on hundreds of other products, are available. CIS have been available at retail outlets and from manufacturers since 1986.

A Treated wood should not be used where it may come into direct or indirect contact with public drinking water, except for uses involving incidental contact, such as docks and bridges. Do not use treated wood for countertops, cutting boards, those portions of beehives which come in con- a Can treated products be used around gardens?

A en ffeated wood should be disposed of by ordinary trash collection or burial. If burned, toxic chemicals may be produced as part of the ashes. Industrial users may dispose of treated wood in commercial or industrial incinerators in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Q Oo the chemicals leach out of the wood?

A A unique process occurs with pressure treated wood during and after the pressure treating process which fixes the chemical preservative so it is virtually insoluble. Leaching is negligible and the finished product does not pose a threat to people, pets or plants when used as recommended.

A P."rru." treated wood is perfectly suitable for building raised beds, terraced gardens, grape or tomato stakes, flower bed edging, planters, retaining walls, trellises, arbors, garden furniture and compost bins.