A recent study suggested that CCA-treated wood exposed to acidic precipitation could lose significant amounts of copper chromium and arsenic resulting in loss of efficacy and possible environmental contamination. The study received wide newspaper and radio coverage in Canada, thereby heightening public concern about CCA use. Subsequent studies in our laboratory confirmed that the high losses were caused by a citric acid buffer used to stabilize pH in the origional study. It is hoped that this "case study" will stimulate discussion and thoughts on how this type of situation should be addressed by scientists others involved with treated wood.

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