Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Volume I, Number 2
Page 6
Regulatory/Testing
EPA to Amend Registration for CCA
Alternatives to be Phased in through Dec 2003
Early this month, the three domestic manufacturers of
chromated copper arsenate (CCA) requested the EPA to
modify their materials registrations to exclude many
residential applications of CCA-treated wood, including
playground equipment, decks, and landscape timbers.
The request came as a result of months of negotiations
between the EPA and the producers of the pesticide,
which has been used for 50 years to treat wood. The use
of CCA for these applications will be phased out by
December 31, 2003, while use for various industrial
applications, such as guardrail components, utility poles,
and pilings, will continue.
The producers initiated the talks in response to mounting
pressure from environmentalists who fear that the
potential for arsenic, a known human carcinogen, to
leach out from treated wood puts children at risk of
developing cancer. The EPA noted that it has not
concluded that
arsenic-treated
wood, which
typically
contains 2 lb
of CCA per
100 bd-ft,
poses
unreasonable
risks to the
public. The
hazard associated with arsenic is well known, said
Steve Johnson, head of the EPA's pesticide office. But
the issue for CCA-treated lumber is: Are children being
exposed to the materials in CCA-treated lumber? At this
point we don't know.
The agency, which banned most uses of inorganic
arsenic pesticides in 1984, will publish a preliminary
risk assessment in 2003 after it has completed testing of
the product.
The agreement applies to all forms of arsenic-containing
preservatives, including chromate copper arsenate
(CCA), ammoniacal copper arsenate (ACA) and
ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate (ACZA). CCA
represents 95% of the preservative market volume. The
recent voluntary action by CCA producers in the United
States follows similar actions in Switzerland, Vietnam
and Indonesia. Other countries have also limited the use
of CCA in treating wood, including Japan, Denmark,
Sweden, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.
Materials
Regulatory/Testing
Company News
From the Builders Show in Atlanta
New Products Profilerate
The show floor at the International Builders Show in
Atlanta held February 8 to 11 was the hotspot for both
longtime
exhibitors
and new
composite
producers.
The
industry is
rapidly
maturing
from a
handful of
deck
board
suppliers showing their wares only a few years ago.
Today, the material category is exploding in railing,
porches, and fencing. The producers are beginning to
talk very seriously about the inevitable expansion into
siding.
Builders and homeowners are gravitating to the category
as the proliferation of decking and outdoor accessories
based on wood composites occurs. Furthermore, the
Events Calendar
Marketing
42.2 Million lb
2%
3%
4%
$57.2 Million
1%
3%
1%
4%
5%
2%
7%
3%
4%
45%
1%
4%
7%
8%
53%
16%
29%
Colorants
Lubricants
Coupling agents
Light stabilizers
Heat stabilizers
Impact modifiers
Flame retardants
Antimicrobials
CFAs
Others-a
Principias Expertise
Principia Partners is owned and managed by highly skilled business information professionals with extensive experience
in materials consumed in building products and automotive markets. In particular, the Firms principals have closely
monitored the market for natural/wood fiber polymer composites through various single client engagements and
syndicated research. The Firm utilizes its own professional staff to keep abreast of leading edge developments in the
marketplace.
NATURAL & WOOD POLYMER COMPOSITES is the latest product offering related to the natural/wood fiber
polymer composites industry conducted by Principia Partners, the Exton, PA-based market research and business
consulting firm. The newsletter is prepared by consultants from Principia's professional staff who have monitored the
business development activities in the dynamic and growing synthetic wood products since the business was first
established over ten years ago.
Jim Morton and Carl Eckert will be key regular contributors to the newsletter. Jim, a principal at Principia Partners, is
a well-recognized industry expert in polymer-wood composites, and has authored several relevant syndicated research
studies, as well as speaking at various conferences on the topic. Carl, formerly with Kline & Company, is an expert on
natural fibers, and has spoken at numerous conferences about the emerging opportunities for these fibers. These two
individuals will join other occasional contributors to the newsletter.
Subscription Information
To subscribe to NATURAL & WOOD POLYMER COMPOSITES, please print and fill out the subscription form
below and return to us. The newsletter will be issued electronically (optional delivery by regular mail, if no e-mail is
available) to each subscriber 12 times a year. The first issue will be distributed in January 2002. The annual
subscription price is US$650 for electronic delivery subscribers. A US$50 premium will be charged for regular mail
subscribers for printing, and shipping/handling costs.
detach and return by fax or mail
DELIVER TO:
BILL TO:
NAME: ______________________________
TITLE: ______________________________
COMPANY: ___________________________
ADDRESS: ___________________________
CITY: _______________________________
STATE: ____________ ZIP: _____________
PHONE: (______)________-_____________
FAX: (______)________-_______________
E-MAIL: _____________________________
DELIVERY METHOD:
E-MAIL_______
NAME: ____________________________
TITLE: ____________________________
COMPANY: _________________________
ADDRESS: _________________________
CITY: _____________________________
STATE: ____________ ZIP: ____________
PHONE: (______)________-____________
FAX: (______)________-_______________
E-MAIL: ____________________________
HARD COPY_______
PAYMENT CAN BE MADE BY CHECK DRAWN ON U.S. BANK OR MAJOR CREDIT CARD (AMEX, VISA, M/C, DISCOVER). If
CREDIT CARD METHOD IS USED, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
Account #:
Exp. date:
Signature:
_______________________________________
___________/___________
_______________________________________
Corporate: P.O. Box 611 Exton, PA 19341 USA l 888/680-2199 (U.S. only) or 610/458-3738
Fax: 484/214-0172 l e-mail: woodnews@principiaconsulting.com l www.principiaconsulting.com