AWPA M20-15 (R2021) ✓ Most Recent

The purpose of this protocol is to provide guidelines for minimizing environmental contamination and human exposure of oil-type wood preservatives contained in pressure treated wood products. This guideline will assist wood treaters in adopting treatment and handling procedures to reduce migration of the preservative from the wood and avoid shipment of treated product that may otherwise have a tendency to lose preservative from the wood surface.

These guidelines apply to wood products pressure treated with oil-type preservative systems under the jurisdiction of AWPA Subcommittee P-3. These systems include the preservatives Standard P1/P13 (creosote), Standard P2 (creosote solution), Standard P3 (creosote petroleum oil solution, CPS) and Standards P35, P36, P37, P38, and P39 (oil-borne preservatives). The related standards which are a part of the preservative systems include Standard HSH (hydrocarbon solvent for blending with creosote) and the HS Standards (solvents for organic preservative systems used as carrier oils for the oil-borne preservatives).

These guidelines should be employed in conjunction with a thorough understanding of the AWPA Use Category System Standards covering the treated wood commodities and preservatives specified. There are substantial differences in treatment methods for different species of wood and preservative systems. Where these guidelines may be in conflict with specific provisions of the AWPA Use Category System Standards, the Use Category System Standards take precedence.

This protocol should only be used after reading and thoroughly understanding the preservative product label. In addition, United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) guidelines, Clean Air Act (CAA), Resource Conversation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP), state and local requirements, and other applicable federal regulations which pertain to wood treatment should be understood and followed. Any or all portions of this protocol shall not be used if they contradict a product label or federal or local regulation.

These guidelines do not address the inherent toxicological and environmental properties of the preservatives themselves. These matters are under the jurisdiction of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).