Re: [GBlist] NEWS On CCA-Treated Wood

[Nadav Malin <nadav@BuildingGreen.com>]

Wow! Nice to see that they've finally listened to the voice of reason! ;-)

Check out Alex's editorial from 1997 calling for this step:
http://www.buildinggreen.com/news/CCA_phase-out.html

Nadav

At 3:35 PM -0500 1/31/02, Sarah Holland/David Foley wrote:
>FYI:
>
>  > ARSENIC: Wood treated with pesticide to be phased out
>  > Wood treated with chromated cooper arsenate (CCA), an 
>arsenic-based pesticide,
>  > will be phased out in the next two to three years, under a 
>pending agreement
>  > between the U.S. EPA and the wood-preservative industry.
>  > The wood, used to build decks, playgrounds and fences across America, is
>  > treated with CCA to protect it from insects and rotting. Under 
>the agreement,
>  > expected to be finalized within weeks, manufacturers would surrender their
>  > licenses to use CCA, a known carcinogen, and cut production under graduated
>  > caps. The two-to-three-year window would allow manufacturers to switch to
>  > alternative treatments.
>  > Although the EPA banned the usage of most arsenic pesticides years ago, it
>  > made an exception for treated wood. A study released last year by the
>  > Environmental Working Group and the Healthy Building Network confirmed that
>  > most lumber sold at home improvement stores nationwide is treated 
>with unsafe
>  > levels of arsenic ( Greenwire
>  > 
><http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/searcharchive/test_search-display.cgi 
>?q=arsen
>  > 
>ic&file=%2FGreenwire%2Fsearcharchive%2FNewsline%2F2001%2FNov8%2F110801 
>07.htm>,
>  > Nov. 8, 2001). And independent investigations have shown that arsenic from
>  > newly treated wood can become cancer threats, especially to children.
>  > The EPA would not advise homeowners to remove existing decks or other
>  > structures made with the treated wood. Instead, the agency would suggest
>  > regular painting and coating to reduce any arsenic risks (Peter Eisler, USA
>  > Today <http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20020131/3817012s.htm>, 
>Jan. 31). --
>  > MV
>
>--
>Holland & Foley Building Design L.L.C.
>232 Beech Hill Rd.
>Northport, Maine 04849 USA
>p: (207) 338-9869 f: (207) 338-9859 e: hollandfoley@acadia.net

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