EPA Pesticide Program Update
from EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs 02/12/02
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides
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IN THIS UPDATE:

1)Whitman Announces Transition from Consumer
    Use of Treated Wood Containing Arsenic

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EPA Administrator Christie Whitman today announced a
voluntary decision by industry to move consumer use of
reated lumber products away from a variety of pressure-
treated wood that contains arsenic by Dec. 31, 2003, in
favor of new alternative wood preservatives. This
transition affects virtually all residential uses of wood
treated with chromated copper arsenate, also known as
CCA, including wood used in play-structures, decks,
picnic tables, landscaping timbers, residential fencing,
patios and walkways/boardwalks. By Jan. 2004, EPA will
not allow  CCA products for any of these residential uses.

"This action will result in a reduction of virtually all
residential uses of CCA-treated wood within less
than two years," said EPA Administrator Christie
Whitman. "Today's announcement greatly
accelerates the transition to new alternatives,
responding to market place demands for wood
products that do not contain CCA. This transition will
substantially reduce the time it could have taken to go
through the traditional regulatory process."

"This is a responsible action by the industry," Whitman
continued. "Today's action will ensure that future
exposures to arsenic are minimized in residential settings.
The companies deserve credit for coming forward in a
voluntary way to undergo a conversion and retooling of
their plants as quickly as possible. The transition to new
alternatives will provide consumers with greater choice
for their building needs."

The transition period will provide consumers with
increasingly more non-CCA treated wood alternatives
as the industry undergoes conversion and retooling of
their industrial equipment and practices, while also
allowing adequate time to convert treatment plants with
minimal economic disruption for the industry's employees.
Beginning immediately, and over the next 22 months, wood
treatment plants will convert to new alternative wood
preservatives that do not contain arsenic. In the current year,
manufacturers expect a decline in production of CCA
products for affected residential uses up to 25 percent, with
a corresponding shift to alternatives. During 2003, the
companies expect the transition away from CCA to continue
and increase, with a decline in production of CCA products
for affected residential uses up to 70 percent, with a
corresponding shift to alternatives. New labeling will be
required on all CCA products, specifying that no use of CCA
will be allowed by the wood-treating industry for the affected
residential uses after Dec. 31, 2003.

EPA has not concluded that CCA-treated wood poses
unreasonable risks to the public for existing CCA-treated
wood being used around or near their homes or from
wood that remains available in stores. EPA does not
believe there is any reason to remove or replace
CCA-treated structures, including decks or playground
equipment. EPA is not recommending that existing
structures or surrounding soils be removed or replaced.

While available data are very limited, some studies
suggest that applying certain penetrating coatings
(e.g., oil-based semi-transparent stains) on a regular
basis (one re-application per year or every other
year depending upon wear and weathering) may reduce
the migration of wood preservative chemicals
from CCA-treated wood.

Arsenic is a known human carcinogen and, thus, the
Agency believes that any reduction in the levels
of potential exposure to arsenic is desirable. As
always, when children play outside, whether around
CCA-treated play structures or not, they should wash
their hands prior to eating. Also, food should not
be placed directly on any outside surface, including
treated wood. CCA-treated wood should never be
burned, as toxic chemicals may be released as part
of the smoke and ashes. Consumers who work
with CCA-treated wood are encouraged to use common
sense in order to reduce any potential exposure to
chemicals in the wood. Specific actions include sawing,
sanding and machining CCA-treated wood outdoors,
and wearing a dust mask, goggles and gloves when
performing this type of activity. Clean up all sawdust,
scraps and other construction debris thoroughly and
dispose of it in the trash (i.e., municipal solid waste).
Do not compost or mulch sawdust or remnants from
CCA-treated wood. Those working with the wood
should wash all exposed areas of their bodies
thoroughly with soap and water before eating, drinking
or using tobacco products. Work clothes should
be washed separately from other household clothing
before wearing them again.

Chromated copper arsenate, or CCA, is a chemical
compound mixture containing inorganic arsenic,
copper and chromium that has been used for wood
preservative uses since the 1940s. CCA is injected
into wood by a process that uses high pressure to
saturate wood products with the chemicals. CCA is
intended to protect wood from dry rot, fungi, molds,
termites, and other pests that can threaten the
integrity of wood products.

During the past several months, CCA-treated wood
has been the subject of an EPA evaluation under
provisions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,
and Rodenticide Act, which direct EPA to periodically
reevaluate older pesticides to ensure that they
meet current safety standards. The Agency is
continuing to proceed with a risk assessment. EPA is
also continuing to evaluate public comments
and input from an external scientific review panel on
methodologies to perform a risk assessment for
residential settings and potential exposure to
children from CCA.

More information on this announcement is
available at www.epa.gov/pesticides/citizens/1file.htm.

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stakeholders and citizens who have expressed an interest
in O.P. activities and decisions.  We have established
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Federal pesticide information.  

For general questions on pesticides and pesticide
poisoning prevention, contact the National Pesticide
Information Center (NPIC), toll-free, at:
1-800-858-7378, by e-mail at npic@ace.orst.edu,
or by visiting its Web site at: http://npic.orst.edu

For information about ongoing activities in the
Office of Pesticide Programs, visit our homepage
at:  http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/.

Or call or write  us directly at:
Communication Services Branch
Office of Pesticide Programs (7506C)
US Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004-2403
703-305-5017