Officials with

GFC emphasize that EPA has not concluded that CCA treated wood poses any

unreasonable threat to the public or environment; however, arsenic is

a known carcinogen and EPA believes any reduction of potential exposure

is desirable. Manufacturers will continue to produce CCA for industrial

applications such as highway construction, utility poles, and pilings.

Research studies

show that people may be exposed to over 30 times more arsenic from food,

water, and other natural sources than from contact with CCA preserved

wood; one analysis by the Florida Department of Health shows that a child

would have to eat a spoonful of dirt, taken from next to a CCA treated

play structure, every day for 30 years before there would be any potential

health influence.

Neither GFC

nor EPA recommends replacing CCA treated wood structures or surrounding

soil. For those still concerned about exposure, simple steps such as covering

picnic tables and hand washing are recommended such sanitary procedures

could be beneficial precautions in any situation.

Other common

sense suggestions for minimizing unnecessary exposure to CCA include:

Treated wood should never be burned in open fires, stoves, fireplaces,

or residential boilers. And always follow precautions outlined in EPA's

Consumer Safety Information Sheet before working with CCA treated wood

(for a copy of the Safety Sheet, visit www.ccasafetyinfo.com/).

Decisions resulting

in the EPA announced transition allow for an orderly movement to the "next

generation" of preservatives. The deadline of Dec. 31, 2003 is generally

considered ample time for planning. Some industry leaders consider the

transition to be a change that could open the door to new opportunities

in the future. Manufacturers have made a decision to be responsive to

customer interest in new preservatives that provide the same benefits

of CCA treated wood. A new generation of preservatives is on the way.

"Regardless

of preservative treatments used, Southern pine will remain the species

of choice for application," said GFC Director Fred Allen. "Southern

pine's strength and unique ability to accept pressure makes it ideal for

protection and a universal priority for building."

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