PROJECT TITLE: Fate of CCA-Treated Wood

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Helena Solo-Gabriele, Ph.D., P.E.

AFFILIATION: University of Miami, Dept. of Civil, Arch., and Environ. Engrg.

ASSOCIATE INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Timothy Townsend, Ph.D.

AFFILIATION: University of Florida, Dept. of Environ. Engrg. Sci., Solid & Haz. Wst. Prog.

COMPLETION DATE: June 30, 2001

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Research Activities

The "year 3" report has been finalized. Comments from TAG members have been addressed. A copy of the "year 3" final report has been mailed to Dr. Townsend for his review. Once his comments are received, a copy will be mailed to the Center.
 

Research Activities

• The nine decks that were part of the soil study were revisited. Additional soil control samples were collected from each deck and sawdust was obtained to confirm the retention level of each deck using ASOMA x-ray fluorescence (XRF) equipment. The first set of samples was analyzed by XRF at Robbins Manufacturing during our visit to their facility on June 19^th. One problem encountered during sampling was the fact that the Paynes Prairie deck in Gainesville was inaccessible due to construction. Sampling of this deck will occur once the construction is completed.

• Analysis of metals within the soil core samples has been completed. The data are currently being evaluated.
• The literature review is on-going for chromium and arsenic speciation and for organics analysis of co-biocides in alternative-chemical treated wood products.
• Research is on-going to identify major use sectors for CCA-treated wood. A permit review of docks constructed within Alachua and Leon Counties was the focus during this reporting period. Future work will focus on obtaining information from the County property appraisers.

Research Activities

• Samples of untreated wood have been shipped to alternative chemical manufacturers which included one additional control sample for CCA treatment that was sent to Robbins Manufacturing for treatment. The following samples are included within the study: an untreated control, CCA control treated by CSI Inc., CCA control treated by Robbins Manufacturing, ACQ- , CBA-, CC-, CDDC-treated wood, and two sets of samples treated with unknown alternative-chemical solutions. All of the samples are available except for CC-treated wood, the CCA-treated wood from Robbins, and the two sets treated with unknown alternative-chemical solutions.
• QA/QC tests are currently being run for the arsenic speciation portion of the study.
• A student exchange was held between the University of Miami and University of Florida from June 19th through 22^nd. The exchange included a tour of the Robbins Wood Treatment Plant located in Tampa, Florida on June 19^th. On June 20^th, the students participated in the SWIX conference in Tampa and a meeting on the Innovative Recycling Grant in Sarasota. On June 21^th, the group was in Tallahassee collecting soil samples from decks and collecting information concerning treated wood docks from Leon County's Department of Growth and Environmental Planning. Similar activities were conducted in Gainesville on June 22^nd. In Gainesville, the decks (except for Paynes Prairie) were resampled and information concerning docks was obtained from the County's Department on Code Enforcement and from the County's Property Appraisers Office.

 

 
 
 

• Dr. Solo-Gabriele presented the results of the research at the National Conference of the American Wood Preservers' Association held from May 7 to 10^th in San Francisco, California. At this meeting she was also appointed chair of the treated wood disposal and re-use task force for the Association. The purpose of the task force is to develop recommendations for the guidance document published in the AWPA Book of Standards which addresses treated wood disposal and re-use.
• Dr. Solo-Gabriele presented the results of the research at the yearly meeting of the International Research Group (IRG) on Wood Preservation held from May 14th to 19^th, 2000 in Kona, Hawaii. The presentation was very well received by the international audience and many requests for additional information were provided. Also, as part of this conference, a paper was published within the Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference of the International Research Group on Wood Preservation. The paper is titled, "Management Strategies for the Disposal of CCA-Treated Wood." A copy of the paper is attached within the email message that accompanied this progress report.
• Dr. Solo-Gabriele presented the results of the study at the Recycle Florida Today Conference held in Tampa, Florida on June 6th.
• Drs. Solo-Gabriele and Townsend presented the results from the CCA research at the Solid Waste Information Exchange (SWIX) workshop on wood pallets and wood waste held in Tampa, FL on June 20^th.
• The next TAG meeting for this project has been scheduled for Friday, July 28^th from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm in Tallahassee, FL.
• A short description for the public and a black and white photograph of Helena Solo-Gabriele was mailed to the Center earlier this month.
• The web site for the project (www.ccaresearch.org) has been updated.

• The contract between the University of Miami and Sarasota County has been executed. Subcontracts to Dr. Townsend of U. Florida, Dr. Hahn of U.Florida, and Jim Gabbert of Meyer and Gabbert have been initiated. The project will officially begin on July 1, 2000.
• A web site is currently being developed for this project. The address for the Sarasota County Innovative Recycling Grant is: http://www.eng.miami.edu/~hmsolo/sarasota/index_sara.htm
• Cost estimates have been received on preliminary designs of the shelter and conveyor system.

• The research team met with representatives from Sarasota County on June 20th to discuss the progress on the project. Minutes of this meeting are posted on the web.