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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Environmental impact of chemicals washed from preservative-treated wood

Conference ·
OSTI ID:7296088
The following conclusions can be stated as a result of this study: Whenever construction of new cooling towers or a major rebuilding of towers is proposed that utilizes Erdalith pressure-treated wood, the environmental impact on plant discharge from the chemical washed from the wood must be considered. Unless attempts are made to shield the treated wood from the weather, the amount of chemicals washed from the wood after erection is small in quantity; however, all values are above the EPA limits. For those systems not using chromate-based treatments it may be necessary (depending on the EPA permit) to contain the circulated water in the basin and remove the metals before allowing discharge. It may also be possible to obtain a variance to the permit. For systems using chromate-based treatments and destruction techniques to clean the water before discharge it should be determined if the chemicals from the wood (ie, arsenic) can be removed or else obtain a variance from the permit. (auth)
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, Tenn. (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
7296088
Report Number(s):
Y-JA-113; CONF-760109-2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English