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Industry needs a sensible
approach to CCA-treated timber
16/3/05
The
Timber Preservers Association of Australia (TPAA) has said today that key
recommendations of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
(APVMA) in its review of Copper Chromium Arsenate (CCA) for timber preservation
are already in place.
The
TPAA says that it has a strong interest in ensuring that trade customers and the
general public have continued access to treated timber as an effective outdoor
building product and that safety is a high priority in its application and
general use.
The
TPAA supports the view of the Australian Plantation Products and Paper Industry
Council (A3P) that restricted use of CCA is an overly cautious approach,
particularly since it does not over-ride the basic need for people to be
informed and handle CCA properly.
The
TPAA says that the suppliers of CCA preservatives have already enhanced the
labelling and handling information for CCA. Treatment plants operate under
appropriate Australian standards, with strong emphasis on occupational health
and safety and on working closely with environment protection authorities.
We strongly urge all timber treatment plants and end users of CCA treated
timber to read safety information and take appropriate care while in contact
with the product, says the President of the TPAA, Mr. Wayne Lewis.
CCA
treated timber has been used in Australia for over 40 years with no validated
health problems when it has been produced, applied and used as recommended.
The
TPAA says that the APVMA has not suggested that industry stops using the
preservative, nor that existing structures treated with CCA need to be removed.
Mr.
Lewis says The APVMA is working to make sure that any risks from the use of
chemical treatments are mitigated, which is a goal that is well supported by the
TPAA and the treated timber industry.
CCA is an approved wood preservative that enhances the durability
and versatility of many wood products, making them highly resistant to decay and
rot, and has been consistently used around the world for over 70 years.
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