Wood Preservatives Research Articles

Research on design evaluation of wooden outdoor seating system

[Objective] Although there are many kinds of materials for outdoor seating, there are also limitations. People prefer natural wood materials which are warm in winter and cool in summer. From the perspective of sustainable development, wood substitute for natural preservative wood is replaceable, so it has become the main material for outdoor seating. The purpose of this paper is to verify the advantages of wood and wood -like materials in the application of outdoor seating with expert evaluation methods. [Methods] The Del phi expert evaluation method was used to optimize the different schemes of wood and non -wood materials in the empirical study. Based on the three levels of “environment - space - people ”, the evaluation was carried out from multiple perspectives, from the urban ecological environment appeals of the top system of the macro root layer to the extension system of the meso-generative layer of the harmonious space and place system, as well as the micro-representational layer ontology system problems involving the form, function and material technology of outdoor seating. [Result] Finally, based on the quantitative data analysis of Delphi expert evaluation method and standard deviation comparison analysis results, the outdoor seating system design of wood and imitation wood materials was obtained by experts’ preference and affirmation. [Conclusion] T he material selection of outdoor seating can be mainly wood, and the acceptance of imitation wood outdoor seating is similar to wood. When selecting outdoor seating materials, we can gradually introduce composite anticorrosive wood materials to replace non -renewable natural anticorrosive wood.

IRGWP: An international network of key players for a better understanding and industrial developments in wood protection and preservation

IRGWP: An international network of key players for a better understanding and industrial developments in wood protection and preservation

A novel wood preservative with plant extracts in a cypermethrin mixture protects envelope-treated tropical kempas hardwood against Coptotermes termites when exposed to an above-ground indoor situation after evaporative ageing

In keeping with sustainability initiatives in the commercial wood protection sector to develop cost-effective, environmentally acceptable wood treatment alternatives to traditional biocides, this paper reports on an above-ground test for protection against subterranean termite damage to blocks of termite-susceptible heartwood of tropical (Malaysian) kempas hardwood (Koompassia malaccensis). The blocks were envelope-treated (brush-on) with a novel wood preservative based on plant extracts in a cypermethrin mixture (Biocide 1: 0.16% cypermethrin, 0.08% tebuconazole, 2% vegetal extracts). A commercial permethrin-based LOSP (Biocide 2: 0.2% permethrin, 1.8% tributyltin naphthenate, 0.1% dichlorofluanid) applied in 3-minute dips served as the control treatment. The air-dried kempas blocks were H2-weathered under a rigorous laboratory volatilization regime (representing long-term evaporative ageing of treated wood for above-ground indoor use in prolonged H2-hazard class situations). The blocks were then exposed for 6 months above ground, inside a containerised test design targeting subterranean Coptotermes curvignathus termites, at a humid forest site (representing a severe H2-hazard class situation with treated wood isolated from wetting, soil contact, and weather). The results showed irrefutably that untreated kempas heartwood was severely attacked by C. curvignathus (mean mass loss: 70.4% and 20,416 mg) with a low mean visual termite rating (2.4). However, the treated kempas wood was well protected at very low surface retention of Biocide 1 (mean negligible mass loss: 0.66% and 207 mg) and very low surface retention of the control Biocide 2 (mean negligible mass loss: 1.01% and 306 mg), with both treatments similarly yielding the highest mean visual termite rating for all replicate kempas specimens (rating 10). The performances of the two biocides were similar but varied significantly (P < 0.05) from the attacks against their untreated counterparts. Biocide 1 therefore has considerable anti-termite potential and could replace conventional LOSP Biocide 2 treatments to protect wood exposed to a long-term H2-hazard class environment.

Characterization and antifungal properties against wood decaying fungi of hydrothermal liquefaction liquids from spent mushroom substrate and tomato residues

This study aimed to investigate the potential of converting bio-based residues from industrial production of mushrooms and tomatoes into more valuable chemicals with antifungal properties using hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). Liquid fractions were obtained from HTL of spent substrate of Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach and Pleurotus ostreatus (jacq.) P. kumm., recomposted Agaricus bisporus spent substrate, and tomato residues. The quantitative 1H NMR spectroscopy analysis revealed that the HTL liquids of all residues contained antifungal constituents like phenols and organic acids. The HTL liquids at dilutions of 10 % were able to inhibit the fungi by over 80 %. Interestingly, the fungus P. ostreatus showed tolerance to these constituents as its growth was promoted at the lowest concentration of all the HTL liquids. The HTL liquids had lower ecotoxicity than the commercial wood preservative. These results suggest that the tested residues could be a promising source of preservative chemical constituents for the wood industry.

Accumulate and consolidate the traditional vernacular timber preservation technologies through a field survey

There are remarks on diverse types of timber structures in the tropics. This paper examines several case histories in Sri Lanka, focusing on the culturally varied and ecologically diverse traditional buildings with wood used for construction. The main objective was to gather data and document the knowledge on wood preservation. Information was gathered through face-to-face interviews with 270 individuals’ reference to 138 structures. A holistic analysis was performed to understand the techniques used to overcome the degradation mechanisms and state of conservation. The demographic profile of the informants was evaluated and cross-relationships on the tabulated data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software following the snow-balling sampling technique. There were three main preservation techniques identified from the open-ended questions namely, wood kept under smoke pits, wood kept under paddy field mud, and wood kept under the river banks. Preserving wood by keeping it under paddy field mud (49.62 %) was the highest recorded answer. The most obtained material matrix of preservation was plant origins (48.88 %). For generations, people have transmitted traditional and cultural practices through oral knowledge. The results conclude this knowledge places a high value on protecting construction technologies and applications while preserving biodiversity. Unfortunately, by today this technology has started extinct. The results revealed the importance of social norms and cultural perceptions as a set of valuable information that was practiced with a great history in a tropical country.

The effect of soil type on copper leaching from wood treated with three copper-based wood preservatives

ABSTRACT In this study, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood samples were treated with 3 different major wood preservatives (alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ), copper chrome boron (CCB) and copper azole (CuA)). Treated wood samples were subjected to 1 and 3 months of leaching in 3 different soil types and the amount of leached heavy metal Cu was determined on a laboratory scale. In addition, wood samples were exposed to white rot (Trametes versicolor) and brown rot (Neolentinus lepideus) fungi after leaching and weight losses were calculated. At the end of the 1 and 3 months of leaching period, the soil samples were taken from the pots and the amount of Cu was determined. The lowest Cu content (4.3 mg/kg) was detected in the samples treated with CCB among the wood preservatives, while the highest content (196.3 mg/kg) was determined in ACQ. The lowest Cu amount was determined in loamy sand soil type and the highest Cu amount was determined in clay loam soil type. According to the findings from the current study, leaching in soil did not affect weight losses caused by T. versicolor, while significant weight losses occurred by N. lepideus. This study indicated that loamy sand soil is more suitable for the treated wood if there is a risk regarding leaching.

Deforestation and Judicial intervention in India

Judiciary in India has played a vigorous role in addressing the concern of deforestation in India. Supreme Court’s ruling is an important step in helping to reduce the rate of deforestation in India, and to protect the forests that remain.
 The concepts of industrialization, urbanization and globalization have negatively prejudiced the natural assets like water, woods, air, etc. Since these resources are essential to human growth, there is an urgent need to protect and use them in a sustainable way. Indeed, forests are a crucial component of our natural ecology. They contribute to preserving ecological equilibrium. They protect the tribal populace, protect gene pools, and shelter wild animals. A successful governance model must strike a balance between development and conservation.
 Through court rulings, administrative decisions, and legislative measures, India has ensured the preservation of her forests. Though a lot of legislative measures have been made for the maintenance of forests in India, but the input of the judiciary in this regard is beyond compare. Finding means for the Indian government to encourage the preservation of the country's woods is crucial for both the future of the forests and the stability of India. Indian woods may decline as a result of the country's expanding population and associated demands for resources and consumption. Any large decline would result in increasing resource scarcity, which would put more pressure on the government.

Potential utilization of Indonesian plant extracts for biothermicide to control subterranean termite attack (Coptotermes spp.): a review article

The control of subterranean termite Coptotermes spp. infestation of low-durability wood species still depends on synthetic chemicals and has a negative impact because it is difficult to degrade into the environmental. Mega-biodiversity of Indonesia’s tropical rainforests presents a rich variety of plants with potential utilization, especially plant extracts that have anti-termite properties. The application of plant extracts with potential anti-termite bioactivity can be a more environmentally friendly alternative for natural wood preservation. This research uses the literature review method. The data obtained came from a search of national journal studies published on Google Scholar in the last 10 years. The results showed that the plant extracts used from the preservative formulation at the optimum concentration can produce the largest percentage of mortality and the smallest weight loss. Preserving wood with plant extracts from low durability class wood species used as test wood such as sengon, rubber, bayur, and durian can increase the classification of wood resistance becoming to grade I-II, indicate resistant and strongly resistant for subterranean termite attack. The three major secondary metabolite compounds from extracts plant used as wood preservatives are alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids. These components have the potential to provide toxic properties to wood destroying organisms.

Optimization and antifungal efficacy against brown rot fungi of combined Salvia rosmarinus and Cedrus atlantica essential oils encapsulated in Gum Arabic

The stability, sensitivity, and volatility of essential oils are some of their most serious limitations, and nanoencapsulation has been considered one of the most effective techniques for solving these problems. This research aimed to investigate the incorporation of Salvia rosmarinus Speen and Cedrus atlantica Manetti (MEO) essential oil mixture in Gum Arabic (GA) and to evaluate nanoencapsulation’s ability to promote antifungal activity against two brown rot fungi responsible for wood decay Gloeophyllum trabeum and Poria placenta. The optimization of encapsulation efficiency was performed using response surface methodology (RSM) with two parameters: solid-to-solid (MEO/GA ratio) and solid-to-liquid (MEO/ethanol). The recovered powder characterization was followed by various techniques using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The optimal nanoencapsulating conditions obtained from RSM were ratios of MEO/GA of 1:10 (w/w) and MEO/ethanol of 10% (v/v), which provided the greatest encapsulation efficiency (87%). The results of SEM, XRD, DLS, FTIR, and TGA showed that the encapsulation of MEO using GA modified particle form and molecular structure and increased thermal stability. An antifungal activity assay indicated that an effective concentration of MEO had an inhibitory effect on brown rot fungi. It had 50% of the maximal effect (EC50) value of 5.15 ± 0.88 µg/mL and 12.63 ± 0.65 µg/mL for G. trabeum and P. placenta, respectively. Therefore, this product has a great potential as a natural wood preservative for sustainable construction and green building.

Decay resistance and dimensional stability of wood impregnated with castor oil using a pressure treatment

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the uptake of castor oil (CAO) in some wood specimens and the effect of CAO on the leaching ability, dimensional stability and fungal-decay resistance of the wood specimens. CAO was infused into the specimens using a pressure treatment. Uptakes of CAO penetrated in yellow poplar (YEP), Japanese cedar (JAC) and Douglas fir (DOF) blocks were higher than 100 %. The leaching ability of the CAO-based suspensions against saline water was the lowest in YEP, followed by Japanese larch (LAR), JAC and DOF. The retention values were 90 % or higher in most of the specimens. Radial and tangential swellings of CAO-treated strips submerged in saline water for 2 weeks were restrained compared to control specimens. No significant differences were found between bending strength and Janka hardness of CAO-treated and control strips. CAO treatment provided acceptable decay resistance to most wood specimens against Fomitopsis palustris and Trametes versicolor. Retention of CAO in the leached strips were identified through X-ray microscopic observation. Based on the results, CAO was determined to be an effective agent for improving the dimensional stability of wood. These results demonstrate the great potential of CAO as an environmentally friendly wood preservative and dimensional stabilizer, allowing CAO-permeated wood as raw materials for both indoor and outdoor use.

Functional conservation and preservation of waterlogged archaeological wood

Waterlogged archaeological wood of shipwrecks has been preserved under seawater for centuries, such that microbial erosion has caused severe bacterial degradation and acidification. These wooden cultural relics are of great significance for understanding the shipbuilding technology, trade activities, and environmental ecology of centuries ago. From the perspective of structure and composition, these waterlogged archeological woods have the characteristics of high water content and a large loss of lignin and cellulose, which makes the hull prone to collapse during preservation. Therefore, it is urgent to apply conservation and preservation treatments for deacidification and consolidation. Due to the fragility of wood and the complexity of repair work, the current development of conservation and preservation technology has multiple aims, such as antibacterial, deacidification, and reinforcement effects. In this editorial, the current challenges and conservation treatments with antimicrobial or deacidification utilities will be introduced.

Fossil Wood Analyses: Several Examples from Five Case Studies in the Area of Central and NW Bohemia, Czech Republic.

In the area of the Central and NW Bohemia, Czech Republic, the fossil wood is quite abundant, found in different states of preservation and present from Paleozoic (Pennsylvanian), through Mesozoic (Upper Cretaceous), to Cenozoic (upper Eocene to lower Miocene). So, this small area is ideal to demonstrate various aspects of the fossil wood analyses, including anatomy (unifacial vs. bifacial cambium, formation of tyloses and its significance, early vs. late wood, unambiguity of scientific terminology, stem vs. root wood), taphonomy (completeness of fossil record, influence of environment on mode of preservation, influence of preservation on wood anatomy and preservation potential, discrepancy between the record of wood and other organs), systematics (stem vs. crown group, wide concept of fossil wood genera, "mosaic" species, wood of extinct plants), and palaeoclimatic reconstruction (definition of "wood type," subjective vs. objective methods). The majority of the studied woods were thin-sectioned following the standard techniques and observed with a compound light microscope.

Non-destructive, solvent-free quantification of wood preservatives in wood flour and wooden objects using GC-DTIMS

Qualitative and quantitative on-site detection methods for wood preservatives are of high value for the recycling industry and the occupational health and safety. Wood preservatives revealed as toxic to human and environment after decades of use. For the detection of contaminated wood and for processing of matured timber to particle boards a versatile detection method is needed. Especially historical wooden objects were treated with preservatives like pentachlorophenol, lindane or dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. This requires a non-destructive on-site detection method, that does not require specialized personnel. In this publication two methods are presented utilizing headspace sampling by solid-phase microextraction, subsequent separation using gas chromatography and detection by a drift tube ion mobility spectrometer (SPME–HS–GC-DTIMS). One method enables the quantitative detection of pentachlorophenol in wood flour and wood chips as they are used in wood processing industries. A limit of detection of 0.1 mg/kg was achieved using DIN 32645, which can be even more lowered. The second method enables non-destructive detection of pentachlorophenol, lindane, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and other preservatives in wooden objects. Therefore, samples were prepared, which show a significantly lower concentration than typical treated objects, and used next to real samples for method validation. With the method contamination of the real samples and of the prepared samples of low concentration were proven.

Mechanisms Associated with Cognitive and Behavioral Impairment Induced by Arsenic Exposure.

Arsenic (As) is a metalloid naturally present in the environment, in food, water, soil, and air; however, its chronic exposure, even with low doses, represents a public health concern. For a long time, As was used as a pigment, pesticide, wood preservative, and for medical applications; its industrial use has recently decreased or has been discontinued due to its toxicity. Due to its versatile applications and distribution, there is a wide spectrum of human As exposure sources, mainly contaminated drinking water. The fact that As is present in drinking water implies chronic human exposure to this metalloid; it has become a worldwide health problem, since over 200 million people live where As levels exceed safe ranges. Many health problems have been associated with As chronic exposure including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disturbances, and brain dysfunctions. Because As can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the brain represents a target organ where this metalloid can exert its long-term toxic effects. Many mechanisms of As neurotoxicity have been described: oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction; all of them can converge, thus leading to impaired cellular functions, cell death, and in consequence, long-term detrimental effects. Here, we provide a current overview of As toxicity and integrated the global mechanisms involved in cognitive and behavioral impairment induced by As exposure show experimental strategies against its neurotoxicity.

Current Trends in Wood Preservation with Emphasis on Approaches for the Remediation of Soils Contaminated with Pentachlorophenol and Creosote

Current Trends in Wood Preservation with Emphasis on Approaches for the Remediation of Soils Contaminated with Pentachlorophenol and Creosote

Trimethyltin chloride exposure induces apoptosis and necrosis and impairs islet function through autophagic interference

Trimethyltin chloride (TMT) is a highly toxic organotin compound often used in plastic heat stabilizers, chemical pesticides, and wood preservatives. TMT accumulates mainly through the environment and food chain. Exposure to organotin compounds is associated with disorders of glucolipid metabolism and obesity. The mechanism by which TMT damages pancreatic tissue is unclear. For this purpose, a subacute exposure model of TMT was designed for this experiment to study the mechanism of damage by TMT on islet. The fasting blood glucose and blood lipid content of mice exposed to TMT were significantly increased. Histopathological and ultrastructural observation and analysis showed that the TMT-exposed group had inflammatory cell infiltration and necrosis. Then, mouse pancreatic islet tumour cells (MIN-6) were treated with TMT. Autophagy levels were detected by fluorescence microscopy. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used for verification. A large amount of autophagy occurred at a low concentration of TMT but stagnated at a high concentration. Excessive autophagy activates apoptosis when exposed to low levels of TMT. With the increase in TMT concentration, the expression of necrosis-related genes increased. Taken together, different concentrations of TMT induced apoptosis and necrosis through autophagy disturbance. TMT impairs pancreatic (islet β cell) function.

2,4,6-TCP migrates and transforms in different cultivated soil in China: Kinetic analysis and mechanistic modeling

Organochlorine pesticides are widely used in agriculture, wood preservation, pulp bleaching and other fields, which increased the pollution risk of cultivated land. In this study, a typical organochlorine pesticides-2,4,6-TCP was conducted as the target pollutants to investigated the migration and transformation characteristics in different cultivated soils in China. The results indicated that the adsorption of 2,4,6-TCP in soil samples was in order: black soil＞laterite＞fluvo-aquic soil, and the maximum adsorption was 71.0870, 27.0575 and 6.1292 mg/kg, respectively. The dispersion coefficient of black soil, laterite and fluvo-aquic soil was 0.0329, 0.0501 and 0.0149, and the hysteretic factor R was 5.381, 1.455 and 2.238, respectively, indicating that the migration ability of 2,4,6-TCP in different cultivated soils samples was in order: black soil＞laterite＞fluvo-aquic soil. The fitting results of one-dimensional migration model indicated that the model well reflected the migration and transformation of 2,4,6-TCP in different cultivated soil samples. Meanwhile, the Two-dimensional migration model fitting results indicated that the maximum concentration of 2,4,6-TCP of different cultivated soil samples were found along the longitudinal flow direction, reaching 40% of the initial pollution concentration at 15 m, corresponding to the center of the pollutant plume.

Formulation and characterization of environmentally benign chicken feather-based wood preservatives

This paper develops chicken feather protein-based wood preservatives (CFP-WP). The treatability, leachability and chemical structure of the CFP-WP were analyzed. The crystallinity, thermal properties, micromorphology and decay resistance against fungi of the treated wood samples were investigated to examine their efficacy. The production cost of CFP-WP was also assessed. The results showed that CFP-WP (Cu, B and small molecular amino acids) was able to penetrate into wood cell walls and the active ingredients of preservatives interacted with wood constituents were well fixed onto wood blocks, evidenced by SEM–EDS observation, NMR, FTIR, XRD and TGA/DTG analysis. The morphology analysis elucidated that CFP-WP effectively protected wood against decay fungi. Decay experiments verified that the new preservative prolonged the wood service life, reducing the mass loss up to 10.88% from 51.02% compared to the untreated wood. Further, the production cost of CFP-WP (approx. 130–140 €/tonne) is nearly 30% lower than the commercial price of conventional market preservatives, such as ACQ (approx. 210 €/tonne). The excellent functionalities of this CFP-WP eco-friendly formulation present a great potential to be used as an environmentally benign wood preservative.

Studies on the interaction of 2,4-dibromophenol with human hemoglobin using multi-spectroscopic, molecular docking and molecular dynamics techniques

2,4-Dibromophenol (DBP) has several industrial applications, including as a wood preservative and flame retardant. This study investigated the interaction between DBP and human hemoglobin (Hb) using spectroscopic, molecular docking and molecular dynamic techniques. The UV-visible spectra showed ground-state complex formation between DBP and Hb. Fluorescence studies revealed that DBP binding caused significant quenching of Hb fluorescence by the static quenching mechanism. The binding of DBP to Hb is a spontaneous process that involves van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds. There is one DBP binding site on each Hb molecule that is located at the α1β2 interface of Hb. DBP binding did not alter the microenvironment of tyrosine and tryptophan residues in Hb. Circular dichroism studies revealed that DBP increased the α-helical content of Hb. The intrinsic esterase activity of Hb was inhibited by DBP in a concentration-dependent manner. Molecular docking showed that DBP binds to Hb via hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic, van der Waals and interactions. Molecular dynamics simulation confirmed that the Hb-DBP complex is stable. Overall, the results of this study clearly show that DBP induces structural changes and interferes with the function of Hb. This can have important implications for human health. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Decay resistance and mechanical strength of poplar wood treated after injection treatment to living trees using ammoniacal copper quaternary/carbon dots

ABSTRACT As a cutting-edge wood preservation technology, injection treatment to living trees has gained traction to prevent fungal infestation. Wood preservatives are injected into the lower part of the trunk and subsequently transported with xylem sap through transpiration. In this experiment, the waterborne wood preservative was synthesized by Ammoniacal Copper Quaternary (ACQ) and carbon dots (CDs), and its characteristics were determined. The distribution, loading capacity, and decay resistance of ACQ/CDs at different heights of the living poplar trees after the treatment were examined. Meanwhile, the effects of three methods, i.e. injection treatment, immersion treatment, and pressure treatment on the decay resistance and mechanical properties of the treated wood were explored. The results showed that the wood preservative penetrated well into the xylem after the injection treatment. The wood at different heights after the injection treatment had good decay resistance. The decay resistance diminished with the rise in tree height, attributable to variations in the timing of the preservative reaching different levels within the tree. When compared with the immersion and pressure treatments, the injection treatment can effectively reduce the influence of long-term preservative soaking and pressure application on the mechanical properties of the treated wood, while upholding commendable decay resistance.