ACQ and CCA Preservatives

It has been widely reported in building trades magazines that the wood preservative ACQ Preserve™ (see EBN,

Vol. 2, No. 1) has been certified for its environmental features by Scientific Certification Systems, Inc. (SCS). That is not true. A study is being conducted by SCS that compares ACQ and CCA preservative, but that study has not been completed. Linda Brown of SCS told EBN that the project has grown into an industry-wide study that should address not only how ACQ and CCA compare, but also the overall environmental profile of preservative-treated lumber. She could not say when the study would be completed and environmental report cards on these products released. Tom Bailey of Chemical Specialties, Inc. (CSI), which manufactures both CCA and ACQ, said the study is being funded by all three major players in the industry: CSI, Hickson, and Osmose. Bailey calls it a very political issue.