Chromated Copper Arsenate Pressure Treated Wood

Cca was invented in 1933 by indian chemist sonti kamesam and patented in britain in 1934.

Chromated copper arsenate pressure treated wood. Seventy years of safe use and the body of sound scientific and medical evidence demonstrate that chromated copper arsenate cca pressure treated wood is safe when used as recommended. The united states environmental protection agency usepa has not banned cca but it is desirable to to take the recommended precautions to limit exposure to cca treated wood because it contains arsenic a known human carcinogen. It is used to impregnate timber and other wood products especially those intended for outdoor use in order to protect them from attack by microbes and insects. Cca is an inorganic arsenic pesticide that protects wood from fungi mold dry rot termites and other pests.

Cca treated wood is also referred to as. Wolmanac cca for wolmanized heavy duty wood for 75 years wolmanac cca chromated copper arsenate preservative has provided proven protection from termites and fungal decay for wood used in industrial applications such as utility highway marine agricultural and heavy construction. The chemicals in cca treated wood have been shown to leach into the surrounding environment and can transfer to the skin when people touch the wood. Chromated copper arsenate cca is a water soluble inorganic pesticide most commonly used as a wood preservative to make it resistant to attack by termites and fungi that cause decay.

Like other copper based wood preservatives it imparts a greenish tint to treated timber. Chromated copper arsenate cca wood preservatives contain chromium copper and arsenic. Chromated copper arsenate cca treated wood under 29 cfr 1910 1200 hazard communication standard are considered mixtures due to further processing which may produce dusts and or fume. The us epa currently is re evaluating cca as part of a mandated reregistration process applicable to all pesticide products.

It is the treater s responsibility to comply with the terms of the label. Pressure treated wood containing cca is no longer used in most residential settings. Supatimber cca chromated copper arsenate is an american wood protection association awpa standardized u1 wood preservative and is registered for use only in pressure treatment of certain commodities. Chromated copper arsenate is a wood preservative containing compounds of chromium copper and arsenic in various proportions.

Chromated copper arsenate cca wood preservatives. The wood is dipped in a solution of cca and subjected to vacuum pressure to force penetration of cca into the wood.