EDITIORIAL

They're at at again

The fact that most environmentalists are less than candid and truthful in making their arguments is hardly news. But a s8ory in the January issue of Organic Gardening is a particularly shrill and shameful exanple. It is joumalism approaching its worsl

In an article titled 'Treated Wood, Yes It's Still Toxic," the authors disparage opposing views as coming from "our cowboy 'researchers,"'when referring to studies done in Texas. Other absurd statements abound, betraying the ignorance of the authors. One remarkable example: "How nice that the parasiles who make tlis poison supply free plans for the making of this (playground) equipment thus ensuring that your children get lots ofarsenic as they grow and develop."

While their hysterical assertions are not correct" their 757,000 readers are bound to wonder if reated wood really is hamrful. If you've been asked or think you might be asked by cuslomers about the safety of Eeated wood, use the materials your supplier can provide to answer them. Compiled by treaters, chemical companies and the American Wood Preservers Institute these are factual and

DAVID CUTLER editor- publisher

tfustworthy. It is important that these enviro lies and distortions do not go unchallenged.

The Organic Gardcning authors conveniently skim over the difference between hazardous CCA liquid preservative and CCA treated wood that is emphatically not hazardous. They either don't know or don't want to lnow that anenic is a natural element found universally, no doubt in their own organic gardens.

While the publication piously points to "scientifiC'studies supporting their view, they apparently are innocent of the fact that the three major chemical companies have years of reputable, peerreviewed research that proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that CCA treated wood simply is not hazardous to people, plants or animals. Government investigations into the safety of CCA treated wood have never, to our knowledge, found any meaningful thrcat to the public.

We've all been down this road before. Timber people have endured years of this type of scurrilous attack. The environmentalists' tactics are all too familiar. IJ.o,l?}

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