Over the past decade or two, many people have become significantly more aware and concerned about the global environment and the health of our planet. Building with wood products from sustainably managed forests carries significant environmental benefits. The ability of a growing tree to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and sequester the carbon is beneficial in the role of combating rising CO2 levels. The appropriate and sustainable processing of trees into construction materials locks up the sequestered carbon. However, once in situ, wood products can be susceptible to degrade over time, particularly by biological organisms such as fungi and insects. To store the carbon in wood products for the maximum time possible, the author argues that the appropriate use of suitable biocides is desirable in many situations. The use of biocides to preserve wood products and the benefits of this treating are discussed. With the authors passion for engineered wood products, also described are examples of effective biocide use in several engineered wood products.

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