Manufacturers to Transition to New Generation of Wood Preservatives; Will Continue to Produce CCA for Industrial Uses

2/12/2002

From: Mel Pine of the Treated Wood Council, 703-204-0500 or 703-966-5640

FAIRFAX, Va., Feb. 12 -- The Treated Wood Council confirmed today that the wood preservative manufacturers -- Arch Wood Protection, Inc., Chemical Specialties, Inc. and Osmose, Inc. -- have each decided to seek to amend their respective registrations with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) to complete a transition to the manufacture of a new generation of wood preservatives for use in non-industrial treated wood products by December 31, 2003.

"Over the past decade, the wood preservation industry has developed and refined a number of highly effective new wood preservatives," said Parker Brugge, executive director of the Treated Wood Council.

After discussions with EPA, and in light of the growing interest in alternative products, each of the manufacturers has volunteered to make a transition to this new generation of wood preservatives for the consumer and residential market. To expedite this transition, preservative manufacturers, suppliers and pressure treaters will retool their facilities over the next two years.

"Let there be no mistake, we absolutely stand by the safety of wood products treated with EPA-approved preservatives, including CCA," Brugge noted. "We also continue to support rigorous scientific research, which has consistently upheld the safety of CCA-treated wood when used as recommended."

The new generation of preserved wood is marketed under names such as ACQ Preserve(r), NatureWood(r) and Wolmanized(r) Natural Select(tm) wood. As with CCA, the new preservatives have been approved for use by the EPA and extend the life of wood products from just a few years to decades.

Brugge emphasized that the manufacturers will continue to produce CCA for industrial end use applications such as highway construction, utility poles and pilings.As part of the normal re-registration process, the manufacturers will continue working with the EPA on performing the scientific analyses associated with re-registering the CCA product.

VIDEO FEED FOR BROADCASTERS: Interview excerpts and B-roll footage featuring Parker Brugge will be transmitted today at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. EST. Call 800-766-1711.