Pentachlorophenol wood treatment

What is pentachlorophenol wood preservative? What are the symptoms of pentachlorophenol? Is pentachlorophenol a carcinogen? How is pentachlorophenol released? About half the wood poles in the US are treated with pentachlorophenol , known as “penta” in the trade.

Penta is “cheap, easy, and effective,” explains Philip For director of technical sales and quality conformance at American Borate, which makes wood preservatives for other applications. Wood Treating Chemicals Wood Treating Chemicals from KMG KMG is the sole supplier of EPA-registered pentachlorophenol (penta) in North America. Penta has played a critical role in the development of the nation’s communications and electric distribution infrastructure. It is no longer used for treating wood used in and around homes. But it is still used for treating wood utility poles and railroad ties.

If you live near a utility pole or railroad tracks, you should prevent your children from playing, climbing, or sitting on them especially in the hot summer months. Wood treated with pentachlorophenol in heavy oil typically has a brown color, and may have a slightly oily surface that is difficult to paint. It also has some odor, which is associated with the solvent.

PCP has been used as a herbicide, insecticide, fungicide, algaecide, and disinfectant and as an ingredient in antifouling paint. Some applications were in agricultural seeds (for nonfood uses), leather, masonry, wood preservation, cooling-tower water, rope, and paper. Its use has declined due to its high toxicity and slow biodegradation.

Drips and spills from application systems (such as, dip tanks and spray booths) commonly resulted in the contamination of soil and groundwater at these facilities. CHRONIC TOXICITY: Wood Dust:Epidemiologic studies of the furniture industry have shown an increased incidence of nasal tumors related to wood dust exposure. The performance of pentachlorophenol and the properties of the treated wood are influenced by the properties of the solvent used. Like other wood preservatives, penta is a pesticide, which acts against wood -destroying fungi and insects.

Creosote treated wood is not available for use at home (indoors or outdoors). Creosote is made from coal tar and is commonly used in railroad ties and utility poles. Exposure to high levels of pentachlorophenol can cause increases in body temperature, liver effects, damage to the immune system, reproductive effects, and developmental effects. Pentachlorophenol and its salts are used as biocides.

Reuse of treated wood is not regulated by the EPA. It is not registered for at-home use, but it may have been used residentially in older homes. Utility poles treated with pentachlorophenol (penta) are the most common utility poles, accounting for almost of the total market. Three primary methods of wood treatment currently prevail: creosote pressure-treated wood , pentachlorophenol pressure-treated wood , and inorganic arsenical pressure-treated wood. The pressure-treating process is done by commercial facilities and made available to users in the final wood product.

It is a manufactured substance not occurring naturally in the environment. PCP was formerly one of the most heavily used pesticides in the United States. Presented By: John Wilkinson, Manager of Penta Task Force.

DURA‐TREAT WOOD PRESERVATIVE Restricted Use Pesticide Sold as a Penta Solution Concentrate And One Ton Solid Block Used For Pressure and Thermal Treatment of Wood. REQUIREMENTS FOR RISK MANAGEMENT COMPLIANCE IS MANDATED BY LAW. It is used primarily to protect timber from fungal rot and wood -boring insects.

PCP products are very toxic to plants and are used as preharvest defoliants and general herbicides. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates all wood preservatives, including pentachlorophenol, under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This wood has been preserved by pressure- treatment with an EPA-registered pesticide containing pentachlorophenol to protect it from insect attack and decay.

If pentachlorophenol treated wood or chemical is release follow the instructions below. Copper napthenate, zinc napthenate, and tributyltin oxide are other wood treatment options that can be site applied. PCP is an environmental and health concern due to its bioaccumulation and potential carcinogenic properties.

It is desirable to treat PCP in soil and groundwater using cost-effective in situ technologies such as bioremediation, oxidation, or reduction. It is applied to pine poles by vacuum pressure treatment at a manufacturing facility with binding agents from hydrocarbons, including diesel fuel and kerosene. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates all wood preservatives, including pentachlorophenol, under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

The standards for safety that must be met to receive a FIFRA registration are exceedingly high. The EPA notes: “These pesticides must be supported with a complete scientific analysis and show that they can be used without causing unreasonable adverse effects to human health or the environment.