Few studies have examined leaching of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) from treated wood in above ground exposures due to the assumption that leaching is less severe compared to wood in continuous contact with soil or water. However, a significant portion of CCA treated wood is used for above ground applications, exposing considerable volumes of the preservative to precipitation and potential leaching. This paper presents preliminary results of a one-year study that continuously monitors CCA leaching from above ground, naturally exposed 5.08 cm x 15.24 cm (2 x 6 inch) dimensional lumber. Three wood species, southern yellow pine (Pinus spp.), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), along with two preservative concentrations and one commercial water-repellent are evaluated for their effect on leaching rates. Preliminary leaching results indicate significant differences between wood species, treating solution concentrations, and the use of water repellent. In addition it appears that climatic variables affect elemental leaching of copper, chromium and arsenic differently. However, the exact effects of climatic variables are inconclusive at this time. Upon completion, this study will offer a substantial amount of leaching data to validate the findings of previous leaching tests, and provide insight into the leaching mechanism of CCA-treated lumber in above ground exposures.

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