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Silver News
US Senate Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Silver - Based Biocides as an Alternative Treatment for Wood Preservation
September 12, 2003
(Washington, D.C. - September 12, 2003)
The U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Public Land and Forests held
a hearing yesterday to discuss S. 432, the Public Lands Production Research Act of 2003. The bill, authored by Senator Larry
Craig (R-ID), Chairman of the Subcommittee, intends to authorize
the Forest Products Laboratory of the U.S. Forest Service
to study the effectiveness of silver-based biocides as a wood
preservative treatment. According to silver experts and academics, silver biocides could serve as a viable, safe, and cost-effective
wood preservative.
Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency, manufacturers
of treated wood, and manufacturers of wood preservative chemicals, negotiated an agreement to phase out the use of chromated
copper arsenate (CCA)-based wood preservatives in pressure-treated wood by December 31, 2003. This transition affects virtually
all-residential uses of wood treated with CCA, including wood
used in play structures, decks, picnic tables, landscaping
timbers, residential fencing, patios, and walkways/boardwalks.
"Given silver's long-standing role as an effective biocide,
it is important to study and fully explore the potential it
may have as a wood preservative," said Senator Craig. "Silver
contributes to our quality of life in many ways, and its use
as a biocide in wood products is an important application
that must be explored. I am very pleased to have brought attention to the merits of this legislation during the hearing," Senator Craig added.
Dr. Jeffrey Ellis of Plantation, Florida, a consultant to
the chemicals and plastics technology industries, testified
before the Subcommittee. In his testimony, Dr. Ellis said,
"The research contemplated in S. 432 is urgently needed to
assist the timber industry in meeting this challenge in a
timely fashion. At present, research is needed first to establish
that silver will meet the performance requirements." He further
stated, "This research will include 1) measurements of performance in air, soil and in freshwater and marine environments, 2)
resistance to fungi, insects, and other wood destroying organisms, and 3) leaching and toxicology studies."
According to experts, should research prove this application
effective, over 80 million ounces of silver offtake per year
would be used in pressure-treated wood.
Congressmen Butch Otter (R-ID), Jim Gibbons (R-NV), and Jon
Porter (R-NV) are co-sponsors of H.R. 688, a similar silver-based
biocide bill that was introduced in the House of Representatives
in February.
For
Further Information Contact:
Mike DiRienzo
The Silver
Institute
1200 G Street, N.W., Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20005
Tel:
(202) 835-0185
Fax: (202) 835-0155
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