Woodworker's Journal 2002-26-3, страница 4

(FJEEIEVS ▼

Wood Warning from EPA

Looking through this issue, I was struck by something that doesn't ordinarily occur to me — perhaps it's too close at hand most of the J time. I'm referring to the diversity of our medium. Not just your basic white oak, ash or pine (though these three species are featured in this issue's projects) ... I'm talking about the Phillip

Moulthrop bowl on page 24, which features cross sections of branches embedded in a mixture of epoxy and sawdust. Or Donald Conroy's award-winning intarsia dragon featured on page 16 (shown at left), which uses no less than 10 different species of wood. Or Dan Gindling's stunning CD cabinet in that same story made of recycled urban wood — materials that were destined for the dump. It truly is a rich pallet with which we work, stretched further by the imagination and creativity of the craftspeople who take tools to wood every day.

On the other hand, messing around with our medium can sometimes backfire. According to the terms of an agreement reached with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this February, American manufacturers will no longer be using arsenic-treated wood for decks and playgrounds by the end of next year. The transition affects virtually all residential uses of wood treated with chromated copper arsenate, known as CCA. While the EPA claims they have not concluded there is unreasonable risk to the the public from these products, they do believe that "any reduction in exposure to arsenic is desirable." The EPA offers a list of guidelines at their site www.epa.gov/pesticides/citizens/cca_transition.htm, which include never burning the wood; washing hands thoroughly after contact; never allowing food to come in contact with the wood; having children who play on decks, porches, or wooden play sets made from treated wood wash their hands thoroughly before eating or using the bathroom (good luck on that one); and washing your clothes separately if you cut or sand the material.

The EPA also says that applying certain penetrating coalings (like oil-based semitransparent stains) every year or two may help reduce the migration of the chemical. For this issue, we asked finishing expert Michael Dresdner to provide readers with a primer on cleaning up and recoating decks (see page 78). And I would encourage all Woodworker's Journal readers to visit EPA's site and read up on this situation ... it's important.

8

MAY/JUNE 2002

Volume 26, Number 3

LARRY N.STOIAKEN Editor in Chief JOHN KELLIHER Art Director ROB JOHNSTONE Editor JEFF JACOBSON Associate Art Director JOANNA WERCH TAKES Associate Editor SIMON WATTS West Coast Editor STEVE HINDERAKER Photographer

ANN ROCKLER JACKSON Publisher

JILL ARENS Circulation Director MICHELLE SCRIBNER Circulation Marketing SARAH M. GREER Advertising Director LEANNE BUCHHOLZ Advertising Assistant

Editorial Advisors NORTON ROCKLER STEVE KROHMER

Contributing Editors MICHAEL DRESDNER JOHN ENGLISH MIKE McGLYNN RICK WHITE

ADVERTISING SALES

J.F. Van Gilder Company P.O. BOX 802405, Dallas Texas 75380 DAVID BECKLER david@jvgco.com MIKE HILL mike@jvgco.com JIM VAN GILDER jim@jvgco.com Phone: (972) 392-1892 Fax: (972) 392-1893

SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES

(800) 765-4119 or www. woodworkersjournal. com. Write Woodworker's Journal, P.O. Box 56585,

Boulder, CO 80322-6585. E-mail: woodworkersjournal@neodata.com. Include mailing label for renewals and address changes. For gift subscriptions, include your name and address and your gift recipient's.

BACK ISSUES & REPRINTS

Woodworker's Journal or Today's Woodworker

Call: (800)610-0883 www. woodworkersjournal. com

Woodworker's Journal (ISSN: 0199-1892), is published in February, April, June, August, October and December by Rockier Press, 4365 Willow Dr.. Medina, MN 55340. Periodical postage paid at Medina, Minnesota and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send all address changes to Woodworker's Journal, PO. Box 56585, Boulder, CO 80322-6585. Subscription Rates: One-year, $19.95 (U.S.); $25.95 U.S. funds (Canada and other countries). Single copy price, $4.95 (U.S.); $6.95 (Canada/other countries). Reproduction without permission prohibited. Publications Mail Agreement Number 0861065. Canadian Publication Agreement #40009401. Printed in the USA.

WEB SITE: www.woodworkersjournal.com ©2002, Rockier Press, Printed in USA.