Pollution in wood preservation - Aspects and problems

IRG/WP 55

H Willeitner

In the field of wood preservation too, pollution problems have to be considered. They originate with the wood preservatives used. The extent of pollution differs widely with the type of preservative and the treatment process used. Per unit of impregnated timber, pollution will be lower if treatment is performed in treating plants than in distributed places. It will be highest for the old type Boucherie process. Considering impregnated timber, only freshly treated material may do some harm, while pollution by timber in use mostly is negligible. In comparison with large problems such as carbonmonoxide or radioactivity, however, pollution by wood preservatives is of relatively little importance. In addition, wood preservation has various positive aspects too. Nevertheless it is essential to minimize pollution by wood preservatives as much as possible by developing new preservatives and improving the ways in which they are handled.


Keywords: BOUCHERIE; ENVIRONMENT; HEALTH & SAFETY; POLLUTION; TOXICITY; TREATED TIMBER; TREATMENTS; PROCESSES; PRESERVATIVES

Conference: 73-06-19/22 Messilä, Finland


Download document (1.2 Mb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document