Kiln drying of CCA-treated wood - Some safety and environmental considerations

IRG/WP 3443

J Jermer, B Lundberg

Vapours and condensate from a condenser kiln in which CCA-treated wood was being dried have been collected and analysed. The concentrations of arsenic, copper and chromium found in the vapours from the drying process were well below Swedish threshold limit values. The contents of arsenic and chromium were also low in the condensate, although the copper content was fairly high. The latter result was probably because the low pH of the condensate caused some copper to be leached out from the copper pipes of the dehumidifier device. If precautionary measures are taken when condenser type kilns are constructed in order to prevent the leaching of heavy metals by low pH condensate liquors, there would seem to be no safety or environmental problems with this type of kiln.


Keywords: CCA; KILNING; ENVIRONMENT; ARSENIC; CHROMIUM; COPPER; CONDENSATE LIQUORS; VAPOURS; pH; SAFETY ASPECTS

Conference: 87-05-17/22 Honey Harbour, Ontario, Canada


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