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PUBLIC MEETING HELD ON CONSUMER SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS FOR CCA-TREATED WOOD

Release Date: 06/08/2001
Contact Information:

United States Environmental Protection Agency
Communications, Education,
and Media Relations (1703A)
Washington D.C. 20460


Note to Correspondents

On June 7, EPA held a public meeting to continue discussions on improving the scope and clarity of information available to consumers about the safe use and handling of wood pressure treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a wood preservative that contains arsenic. The meeting reviewed the recent proposals developed by the American Wood Preservers Institute (AWPI) to rapidly implement new consumer awareness measures on CCA-treated wood. AWPI=s suggestions included placement of individual tags with specific safe handling information on each piece of CCA-treated lumber before being sold to consumers. The proposal also describes other measures to inform consumers about safe use and handling of CCA-treated wood, such as display of in-store stickers and signs, and the establishment of a toll-free hotline and a web site. EPA considers the industry proposals a reasonable first step allowing consumers to make informed decisions regarding their use of CCA-treated wood. During the public meeting all participants had the opportunity to discuss the industry=s proposals, and many recommendations were given by participants to enhance the information available for consumers, which the Agency believes will lead to an improved safe handling program. EPA is working to ensure these measures are implemented as quickly as possible.

EPA is currently conducting a comprehensive assessment of CCA-treated wood. As part of this review, EPA has begun an expedited assessment of children=s exposure to CCA-treated wood in playgrounds. The Agency=s evaluations will be based on all available scientific information and will undergo extensive scientific peer review in a transparent manner. By the end of the summer, EPA expects to complete its draft children=s exposure assessment, which subsequently will undergo a scientific peer review process. EPA is currently planning the peer review and public participation processes which will be used to complete the children=s exposure assessment. The overall reassessment of CCA-treated wood is part of the Agency=s ongoing pesticide reregistration program which periodically re-evaluates older pesticides for compliance with current health and environmental safety standards.

Following the thorough assessment of scientific data related to CCA-treated wood in a process that allows ample opportunity for public involvement, EPA will be able to make informed regulatory decisions about these products to ensure that Federal health and environmental safety standards are met. More information on CCA- treated wood can be found at www.epa.gov/pesticides .

R-087 ###