Practicability of bioassays in the evaluation of environmental risks in wood protection

IRG/WP 96-50071

H-W Wegen

As an example for the proofing of the practicability of bioassays in the evaluation of environmental risks in wood protection the ecotoxicological behaviour of CCF-impregnated timber was examined. After vacuum pressure impregnation specimen from shaped pine poles were tested on ecotoxicological effects of leachable compounds using sensitive aquatic organisms like fish, Daphnia and algae as bioindicators. According to proper impregnation the influence of leachable compounds from treated timber was significantly lower when compared with the acute aquatic toxicity of the preservative and its ingredients. This indicates the existance of safety factors and allows a differentiated estimation of environmental risks for impregnated wood. A general proposal for an ecotoxicological screening procedure in wood protection is presented.


Keywords: ECOTOXICOLOGY; CCF; FISH; DAPHNIA MAGNA; ALGAE; SCREENING METHODS

Conference: 96-05-19/24 Guadeloupe, France


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