QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT

July 1 to September 30, 2000

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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"YEAR 3" Research (April 1, 1999 to July 15, 2000)

"YEAR 3 SUPPLEMENTAL" Research

(April 1, 1999 to November 30, 2000)

1. The Paynes Praire deck was resampled to complete the set of additional control samples that were to be collected from all nine decks that were included as part of the soil study. XRF results were received and problems were encountered with the Oleta River Park deck. Design plans were obtained for this deck which show that it is a mixture of treated and untreated wood. The Oleta River Park deck was re-sampled to confirm which portions of the deck are in fact CCA-treated. The Oleta River Park samples have been sent to Robbins Manufacturing for analysis via XRF. Results are pending. The results of the soil/deck study are currently being drafted.
2. The literature reviews (chromium speciation, arsenic speciation, and organics analysis of co-biocides in alternative-chemical treated wood products) have been completed and written-up for inclusion within the final report.

3. Research to identify major use sectors for CCA-treated wood has been completed. The results of this study are currently being drafted.
4. The results of the batch leaching studies on new CCA-treated wood and mulch are currently being drafted.

"YEAR 4" Research

(April 1, 2000 to June 30, 2001)

1. All the samples shipped to alternative chemical manufacturers and to CCA wood treaters have been received. These samples include: an untreated control, CCA control treated by CSI Inc., CCA control treated by Robbins Manufacturing, ACQ- , CBA-, CC-, and CDDC-treated wood. The two sets of samples that were to be treated with unknown alternative-chemical solutions will not be included as part of this study. The reasons for excluding the unknowns was because: 1) the research team could not come to an agreement on a secrecy document that the alternative chemical manufacturer wanted the team to sign, 2) it was highly opposed by several TAG members, and 3) additional funding could not be obtained for analyzing these additional samples. The set of 7 samples that are part of the leaching study were received by U.Miami. At U.Miami these samples were split into two sub-samples. One sub-sample was kept by U.Miami and the other was sent to U.Florida. Sawdust samples from the U.Miami set were prepared and sent to Timber Products Inspections Inc. to confirm the retention levels. Results suggest that 2 of the 7 samples were not treated to the proper retention levels. Research is currently underway to determine whether the discrepancy is due to a treating error or a laboratory error. The samples provided to U.Florida has since been size reduced for processing through TCLP and SPLP tests.
2. Supplies needed for the analysis of leachates from alternative-chemical treated wood have been purchased by the U.Florida laboratory. QAQC experimentation has begun for the chemical analysis methods. As part of this preparation, Kristin Stook a graduate student of the University of Florida, has traveled to CSI Inc. in Harrisburg, North Carolina, and to Timber Products Inspections Inc. in Conyers, Georgia, to observe the execution of the analytical methods.
3. Laboratory analysis for the arsenic speciation portion of the work was initiated at the U.Miami laboratories using the silver diethyldithiocarbamate method which is capable of analyzing As(III) and As(V). The work using this method primarily focused on QAQC (which resulted in a set of very successful calibration curves). TAG members commented on July 28^th, however, that it would be important to also analyze for additional arsenic species, DMAA and MMAA. After careful consideration of this recommendation, it was decided to pursue the analyses of the DMAA and MMAA along with As(III) and As(V). There are two new methods which will be targeted through this study. The first method (HPLC-HG-AFS) is capable of analyzing As(III), As(V), DMAA, and MMAA only. The second method (HPLC-ICP/MS) will be capable of analyzing all arsenic species. Verbal agreements have been made with Florida International University (located 20 minutes from the U.Miami campus) to use their equipment (HPLC-HG-AFS and HPLC-ICP/MS) for running samples. An updated scope of services was provided to the Center and the Director of the Center agreed to a redistribution of funds so that a sub-contract could be prepared to FIU for use of the equipment.
4. A new preservation method is being evaluated for samples to be analyzed for arsenic species. This preservation method is capable of separating the different arsenic species immediately in the field using a series of filters and cartridges. The supplies needed for this new preservation technique have been purchased and the system is currently undergoing tests. The research team plans to run QAQC on this preservation method once the sub-contract with FIU is prepared.
5. The CompQAP plan was approved by the Florida Department of Health on September 12, 2000. The plan number is #200102.

1. A Technical Advisory Group meeting was held for the project on July 28, 2000 in Tallahassee, Florida. The meeting was very well attended (59 participants). The minutes of the meeting are posted on the web www.ccarsearch.org.
2. Dr. Helena Solo-Gabriele was interviewed for a news clip on CCA-treated wood. The news clip aired on July 27, 2000 in Boca Raton (Channel 5). A copy of the news clip was mailed to the Center.
3. Helena Solo-Gabriele was elected chair of the American Wood Preservers’ Association (AWPA) task force on treated wood handling disposal, and recycling. One of the instructions given to the task force was to review the AWPA standard addressing the disposal and handling of treated wood. Standards were reviewed by the task force, a report was prepared, and the standards were updated to include additional information concerning public awareness and importance of distributing Consumer Information Sheets.

COURTESY REPORT ON INNOVATIVE RECYCLING GRANT

(July 1, 2000 to September 30, 2001)

1. The web site for this project (http://www.eng.miami.edu/~hmsolo/sarasota/index_sara.htm) has been updated.
2. The design drawings for the shelter have been finalized.
3. The design of the conveyor has been finalized. A requisition has been placed for the purchase of the conveyor.
4. Purchase requisitions have been placed for the LIBS detector system.
5. A joint TAG meeting was held on this project (along with the Florida Center project) on July 28, 2000. Minutes of this meeting are posted on the web.