ABSTRACT: Recently, the treated wood industry phased out the use of arsenic (As)-preserved wood for residential uses in favor of copper-preserved wood. Pressure-treated wood products of CCA and three As- and Cr- free preservatives, alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ), copper boron azole (CBA), and disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT), were studied, and the possible environmental impacts from these treated wood products were compared under identical in-service and disposal scenarios. The scenario of treated wood use in an aquatic ecosystem was simulated in laboratory conditions.

Responding to a heightened awareness of the possible adverse effect of treated wood, this book presents multidisciplinary research results and fundamental information on regulations, wood treatment alternatives, and documentation of environmental releases. It examines the impact of treated wood on water, soil, and organisms. Several chapters discuss ways to measure exposure and review various approaches to risk assessment and management. Case studies address human health effects of exposure. The book also presents state-of-the-art disposal technologies, new preservative compounds, and recent developments related to phase outs of certain treated wood products.

For decades chromated copper arsenate (CCA) was the primary preservative for treated wood used in residential construction. However, recent label changes submitted by CCA registrants will withdraw CCA from most residential applications. This action has increased interest in arsenic free preservative systems that have been standardized by the American Wood Preservers? Association. These include acid copper chromate (ACC), alkaline copper quat (ACQ), copper azole (CBA-A and CA-B), copper citrate (CC), copper dimethyldithio-carbamate (CDDC), and copper HDO (CX-A). All of these CCA alternatives rely on copper as their primary biocide, although some have co-biocides to help prevent attack by copper-tolerant fungi. These alternative treatments have appearance and handling properties‍?similar to those of CCA and are likely to be readily accepted by consumers. Prior studies indicate that these treatments release preservative components into the environment at a rate greater than or equal to that of CCA, but because their components have lower mammalian toxicity they are less likely to cause concern in residential applications. As the treated wood industry evolves, it is probable that a wider range of types and retentions of wood preservatives will become available, with the treatment more closely tailored to a specific type of construction application.

This study looked at the sediment and benthic organism effects of exposure to a Chromated Copper-Arsenate (CCA) treated wood bulkhead in a lake environment with respect to 1) the leaching and accumulation of chromium, copper and arsenic in the nearby sediments, 2) accumulation of these metals in local benthic organisms and 3) the effects of these metals on the local benthic community structure. Sediment samples, taken at regular distances away from a CCA bulkhead and three reference areas in a freshwater lake in Wayne, NJ, were sieved to remove the fine particle fraction (

Industry pays an enormous price for material degradation. The Handbook of Environmental Degradation of Materials outlines these costs, but more importantly, explains how to measure, analyze, and prevent environmental degradation for a wide range of indsutrial materials. Experts from around the world share how a diverse set of industries cope with the degradation of metals, polymers, reinforced concrete, clothing, and wood under adverse environmental conditions such as weather, seawater, and fire. Case studies show how organizations from small consulting firms to corporate giants design and manufacture products that are more resistant to environmental effects. By implementing these standards companies of all sizes should realize savings beneficial to their operations.