29 November 2002
A recent report by American Scientist, Dr Richard Maas, on the use of copper, chromium and arsenic (CCA) in treating timber has raised concerns about its safety. Copper, chromium and arsenic are commonly used as a pesticide for treating timber in New Zealand. Timber treated with CCA has been in widespread use in New Zealand for many years.
CCA is but one of a very large number of substances, totalling about 70,000 which need to be transferred to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act over the next four years. Products containing CCA are currently in the process of being transferred from the Pesticides Act to the HSNO Act. This process involves classification of the substances and the assignment of a set of controls to manage risks associated with them. For CCA the process is due to be completed by 1 July 2003. The use of CCA is currently covered by controls under the Pesticides Act.
As soon as ERMA New Zealand became aware of the Maas report it set in place actions to work with the Ministry of Health, and OSH to check out the claims made. A study on CCA is being commissioned and this will look at both the Maas report and other available information. There is a considerable amount of other information available. To the extent possible the views of overseas jurisdictions that have looked at CCA will be sought. Close contact will be maintained with other regulatory agencies that have an interest.
The study will be carried out as quickly as possible with a probable report date of mid March 2003. The results will be used to see whether there are grounds to do a reassessment of CCA. Under the HSNO Act, this is the process available for reconsidering existing chemicals.
For further information contact:
Julie Watson,
Manager, Communications,
ERMA New Zealand
Tel: 04 918 4824
Mobile: 021 674 954