EPA
Mandates New CCA-Treated Wood Regulations
Western Red Cedar - A
Natural Alternative
VANCOUVER, B. C., Feb. 19 / PRNewswire/
 As of
Jan. 1, 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) will no longer allow chromated copper arsenate
(CCA) to be used to treat wood intended for most
residential settings. This transition limits
virtually all residential uses of wood treated
with CCA, including wood no longer acceptable
for use in play structures, decks, picnic tables,
landscaping timbers, residential fencing, patios,
walkways and boardwalks. Additionally, CCA-treated
inventories will no longer be produced as of
Dec. 31, 2003, and all remaining inventories
exhausted by mid-2004 for the majority of consumer
usage.
CCA-treated wood contains arsenic, a known human
carcinogen linked to skin, bladder, lung, liver
and kidney cancers, which can be particularly
unsafe due to naturally occurring leaching over
time.
"This action will result in a reduction of
virtually all residential uses of CCA-treated wood
within less than two years," said former EPA
Administrator Christie Whitman. "This is a
responsible action by the industry that will ensure
that future exposures to arsenic are minimized
in residential settings." Here are some
common-sense tips for minimizing unnecessary
exposure to CCA:
- CCA-treated wood should never be burned
in open fires, stoves, fireplaces or residential
boilers.
- Always wash hands thoroughly after contact
with CCA-treated woods, especially prior
to eating and drinking.
- Food should not come into direct contact
with any treated wood.
Always follow the precautions outlined in the EPA's consumer safety information
sheet before working with CCA-treated wood: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/chemicals/cca_consumer_safety.htm
- When planning your next construction
or building project, consider using alternatives.
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An excellent, non-treated
wood alternative
is western red cedar.
Renewable and biodegradable,
cedar does not require chemical treatment due
to its unique naturally occurring preservatives
resistant to rot and insects.
"Natural qualities of western red cedar
make it an excellent choice for a wide range
of building projects both inside the home and
outside the home," said Peter Lang, general
manager of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. "It's
naturally durable without the need for chemical
treatment, dimensionally stable, resilient, and
lightweight - unlike some plastic or imitation
wood products."
Lang said when properly finished, western red
cedar will last for decades, even in harsh environments.
For more information about construction and
maintenance of decks and other outdoor projects,
talk with an expert at a home improvement store
or visit the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association
Web site at www.realcedar.org.
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This article has been supplied courtesy of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association
www.wrcla.org
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