The world is continually looking for new wood preservative technology, especially to address environmental concerns. Recent changes in the USA have limited the use of arsenical containing formulations to industrial use through a negotiated voluntary cancellation of most residential label uses. PXTS (Polymeric Alkylphenol Polysulfide) offers a brand new technology that is an all organic system, like creosote or pentachlorophenol, but without the associated human toxicity. PXTS has been extensively tested and evaluated over the last 6+ years in both laboratory and field efficacy tests, and has undergone extensive physical and chemical property tests on both the active ingredient and on the PXTS treated wood . This paper summarizes the results of the testing on PXTS and PXTS treated wood through 2003. Lengthy field trials have now proven the efficacy of PXTS in both harsh and very severe test sites where attack is rampant from insects and decay organisms. Additionally, laboratory efficacy tests have shown that the PXTS performance profile is superior to creosote in many applications, extending the life of wood treated with PXTS many fold over that of untreated controls. Laboratory soft rot test indicate that PXTS may be as much as 6 times more effective than AWPA P-1/P-13 creosote. Tests in marine waters, although not presented here, have also proven PXTS superior to creosote in harsh Florida environments riddled with Limnoria. Although work is continuing on the evaluation of this new preservative, this document represents the most complete portfolio of information on PXTS presented to an international audience.

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