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STRONGER CONSUMER INFORMATION PROGRAM, SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY PANEL MEETING ANNOUNCED FOR CCA-TREATED WOOD

Release Date: 07/03/2001
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Note to Correspondents

Throughout the summer consumers can expect to find improved safety handling information when using wood pressure-treated with chromated copper arsenicals (CCA), a wood preservative that contains arsenic. EPA has completed its review of a plan developed by the American Wood Preservers Institute (AWPI) to strengthen information available to consumers for CCA-treated wood, which is widely used for many outdoor applications including decks, fences, posts, picnic tables, docks and playground equipment. The expanded consumer information program begins immediately, and by early fall will include labeling on all pieces of CCA-treated lumber, in-store displays and additional information available to the public.

“Now consumers will understand that this treated wood contains arsenic,” said Stephen Johnson, EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances. “I am pleased that the public discussions about CCA-treated wood resulted in a commitment by the industry to include end-tag labeling, in-store bin stickers and signs, and a new toll-free hotline and web site,” added Johnson.

CCA, a chemical containing arsenic, is used to pressure-treat wood to protect it against decay and insect damage. EPA learned that the previous consumer awareness program was not adequately informing the public, and in May the Agency asked the wood preservative industry and the public to propose ways to expeditiously enhance the existing consumer awareness program to ensure adequate information reaches consumers. EPA’s comments on the AWPI proposal are available at: www.epa.gov/pesticides .

EPA will hold a public meeting of the Scientific Advisory Panel during the week of Oct. 22 to invite scientific peer review on the Agency’s hazard assessment and methodologies for calculating children’s potential exposure in playgrounds where equipment is made from CCA-treated wood. The children’s assessment is one aspect of the Agency’s comprehensive reassessment of CCA, which is currently underway and will be released for public review in 2002. EPA will also carefully evaluate the success of the voluntary consumer information program as part of the overall reassessment of CCA. While details of the upcoming meeting are not finalized, it is expected to be held in the Washington DC area. Further information on the meeting will be posted shortly at: www.epa.gov/scipoly/sap .

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