Comparison of copper emission rates from wood treated with different preservatives to the environment

Abstract

This study describes a laboratory method for the estimation of emission from preservative-treated wood in the different situations where emissions could enter the environment for use classes 3 (not in contact with ground) and 4 and 5 (in contact with the ground, fresh water or sea water) according to OECD Guidelines. Samples of scotch pine sapwood ( Pinus sylvestris L.) were treated with CCA (1% and 2%), ACQ-1900 (3% and 7%), ACQ-2200 (2%), Tanalith E 3491 (2% and 2.8%), and Wolmanit CX-8 (2%). The results indicated that the lowest copper amounts were released from CCA-treated wood. Because of the higher copper amount in the leachates from the alternative wood preservatives, the emission rate of these leachates was higher than the leachates from CCA-treated wood.