Wood peseruers meet

NVIRONMEI\rIAL concems, market promotion, consumer education and election of new officers highlighted the recent annual meeting of the Western Wood Preservers Institute.

Robert Smerko, president of the American Wood Preservers Institute, reported to WIVPI on the industry settle-

(Continued on next page)

(Continued from previous page) ment with the Environmental hotection Agency on the re-registration of the chemicals used in wood treating. He explained that the current Consumer Awareness Program is a voluntary one initiated by industry so that customers can be made aware of the proper use and handling of preservative chemicals and treated wood. This is being done by Consumer Information Sheets distributed by industry. The program is set for a compliance audit by EPA in June.

The treating industry is monitoring the program closely and despite some current EPA objections, it is generally felt that industry is meeting its requirements, Smerko said. He thought that any objections EPA raised were not beyond reasonable solution.

EPA and the Consumer Awareness Program ... marketing promotion and consumer education Chad Niedermeyer elected new president of WWPI.

Shortly after his appearance, Smerko resigned from AWPL See story on the outside column of this page.

Outgoing president Jim Batchelder had earlier noted that the EPA settlement, after a nine year battle, allows WWPI to get on with a more positive promotional progmm for the Westem treating industry. WWPI, for example, recently added a Northwest District Engineer, John Culp, to its staff. Culp is based in Vancouver, Wa.

An optimistic view of the treating industry and its future was voiced by David Cutler, editor-publisher of The Merchant Magazine, who told the treaters that their industry was resolving its problems and was well positioned for impressive growth in the years ahead. He counseled them to approach their situation positively.

Tom Peterson of the McFarland Cascade Co. and Buzz Capener and Dean Matthews of the Capener Co. re-

The Merchant Magazine viewed consumer education activities. They covered areas such as the Permanent Wood Foundation, and pressur€ treated wood tie-ins with the American Wood Council and the Westem Wood Products Association. Peterson called for creation of a WWPI newsletter to increase industry communication with its markets.

Other committee reports dealt with gaining acceptance of Douglas fr poles for 345KV electrical transmission lines and a review of docks, piers and walls using pressure ueated wood products.

Chad Niedermeyer, NiedermeyerMartin, Portland, Or., was elected president of the Western Wood heservers Institute. Other officers chosen are Bill Bond, Jr., Permapost Products Co., Hillsboro, Or., v.p.; Karl Mosher, McCormick & Baxter Creosoting Co., San Francisco, Ca., sec.; and Stephen Ryan, Pacific Wood Preserving of Bakersfield, Bakersfield, Ca., treasurer. Joining them on the board of directors is John Sears, who represents the associate members. Immediate past president is Jim Batchelder, Koppers Co., Sacramento, Ca.

The meeting was held December l-4, 1985, at the Rancho Las Palmas, Palm Desert, Ca.

Bob Smerko, president of the American Wood Preserving Institute, Vienna, Va., resigned as of Feb. 6 to become president of the Chlorine Institute Inc., an association of producers of chlorine and caustic soda.

Al Baxter, J. H. Baxter, & Co., is chairman of the AWPI selection committee named to fill the vacancy.

OllE 0F A SERIES of membership building meetings along the We$ Coast, this gathering of los Angeles Hoo-Hoo Club Two members viewed a new audio visual prognam promoting the international lumbermenb fnaternity. Included (from left to right) were: front row: Brent Crosby, regional club officer, and Al Meier, a Tacoma, Wa., lumber dealer who is the current international president. Middle row: Jay 0rendorff, visiting Austnlian member Jim Philcox, and (in white club jacket) lGn Coleman. Back row: Rod lQut, Richard Miller, Dave Buf6, L.A. Club pres. Bill Sullilan and Henry Voorhees. Back at center: Jim Golding.

The wood products and treating industry recently concluded negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency for the use of pressure-teated wood products utilizing the three major preservatives used throughout the United States.

The negotiations were favorable to the freating industry and all traditional uses of pressure treated wood have been affirmed. Substantial evidence showed that treated wood is safe when properly used. Proper use of treated wood is achieved with good industrial hygiene practices, and will pose no problems for users.

A voluntary industry program to inform users on the use of pressure treated wood is now u4derway. This program was reviewed at the Westem Wood Preseryers Institute (WWPD, according to Chad Niedermeyer, president of the

Institute. WWPI supports the guidelines issued.

"Consumer Information Sheets" are now available for wood treated with creosote, pentachlorophenol and waterbome preservatives (CCA, ACA, and ACZA). WWPI member companies are distributing EPA approved "Consumer Information Sheets" to dealen in conjunction with product sales.

The following are the guidelines for CCA, ACA and ACZA waterbome preservatives, the treatments used in pressure-ffeated wood most frequently found in retail operations:

(1) Dispose of treated wood by ordinary tmsh collection or burial. Treated wood should not be bumed in open fires or in stoves, fireplaces or residential boilers because toxic chemicals may be produced as part of the smoke and ashes. This keeps the metals present in the ash out of the atmosphere to avoid air pollution.

(2) Avoid frequent or prolonged inhalation of sawdust from treated wood. When sawing and machining treated wood, wear a dust mask. Whenever possible, these operations should be performed outdoors to avoid indoor accumulations of aiborne sawdust from treated wood. The fine dust particles generated in sawing wood can cause nose and throat initation. Wearing a mask is a good industrial hygiene practice whether the wood is treated or not.

(3) When power-sawing and machining, wear goggles to protect eyes from flying particles. Any type of foreign matter can cause eye irritation. Care should be exercised to avoid getting any kind of dust or chips in the eyes as they are extremely sensitive.

(4) Wash exposed areas thoroughly after skin contact, and before eating, drinking or use of tobacco products. Hands should be washed after handling any wood or doing any construction work.

(5) If preservatives or sawdust accumulates on clothes, launder before reuse. Wash work clothes separately from other household clothing. This is simply another good industrial hygiene practice.

There are no requirements to wear gloves when handling wood treated with waterbome preservatives. Nevertheless, WWPI recommends wearing gloves to protect hands from splinters whether handling treated or unffeated wood.

Other limitations on the use of pressure-treated wood are not applicable to popular uses of the product. Treated wood should not be used for beehives, cutting boards, counter tops, silos, or other food storage areas where the preservative may become a component of food or animal feed.

For more information, write Western Wood Preservers Institute, 5830 Oberlin Drive, Suite 300, San Diego,Ca.92l2l.