Media Release
17 July 2008
The insecticide and fungicide pentachlorophenol (PCP) has had its approvals formally revoked by the Environmental Risk Management Authority following a reassessment of its risks and benefits.
ERMA New Zealand Hazardous Substances Reassessments Manager, Mike Morris, says PCP was formerly used in the timber industry as a preservative and as an antisapstain treatment. However, the use of PCP and its sodium salt in the timber preservative industry ceased in 1988. The substance has been replaced by other chemicals for these uses.
The reassessment showed that PCP and its sodium salt were toxic and persistent in the environment and that there were no benefits associated with their continued approval in New Zealand.
This week’s decision by the Authority formally revokes the historical approvals and prohibits the use of PCP in New Zealand in the future.
For further information contact:
Mark Walles, Senior Communications Advisor, ERMA New Zealand.
• Telephone +64 -4 -918 4813 • Mobile 021 976 853
• Facsimile +64- 4 -914 0433 • Email:
mark.walles@ermanz.govt.nz