IWA DEMANDS
REMOVAL OF
CHLOROPHENATES

By VERNA LEDGER
Regional Safety Director

The IWA held a press conference on
October 16, 1981 to announce the results of
the Study (undertaken by Local 1-85) of the
Health Problems of Workers Exposed to
Chlorophenols.

On the basis of a thorough review of the
International Research and the alarming
results of the Health Study, the IWA has
concluded that the continued use of chloro-
phenols for the short-term preservation of
wood products poses a serious and signifi-
cant occupational health hazard. In addi-
tion, the contamination of populated areas
near wood treatment sites, and the market-
ing of treated lumber for domestic use, may
lead to the development of a serious and
significant public health hazard.

In light of these findings, the IWA in the
interests of worker and public health called
for an end to the use of chlorophenates in the
B.C. Forest Industry, and the immediate
implementation of alternative means of
sapstain control; such alternatives (which
are much less hazardous to workers, the

public and the environment) are readily
available to the industry throughout the
province.

The Industry has responded to this
demand from the IWA by agreeing there is
apparently a significant health hazard to
workers exposed to chlorophenols, and they
did not dispute that the chemical use should
be discontinued; however, they did argue
that there are no alternatives available.

They also agreed “improved handling
procedures” may be considered. The IWA
cannot accept the Industry’s position — itis
simply not good enough for them to shirk
the responsibility of protecting the health
and lives of woodworkers by refusing to
acknowledge the alternatives which do
exist. The Industry continues to mouth
platitudes and concern about introducing
another chemical into the Industry which
may someday prove to bea health hazard. It
is too bad their concern for workers’ health
does not extend to the present situation of
hundreds of IWA members being exposed to
a proven serious health hazard. Could it
possibly be that the alternatives are a trifle
more expensive?

And what about their suggestion that
“improved handling procedures” would be
considered? What does the Industry mean
by “improved handling procedures?” Is this
the “stringent environmental controls and
protective measures” we have demanded?
We doubt that it is.

It is obvious the IWA will have to be
prepared to argue these questions with the
Industry at every opportunity.

Is There an Alternative to Use of the
Chlorophenols? Kiln drying lumber to a
moisture content of less than 20% is proba-
bly the safest method of alternative sap-
stain control, and is suitable for domestic
markets. However, it is not currently consi-
dered an effective means for overseas
markets by the Industry since costs of
conversion to this type of a system would be
exhorbitant (according to the Industry), and

would make it impossible to compete on the
open market. PQ-8 or Copper-8-Quinolino-
late, is an alternative chemical agent thatis
effective for sapstain control It has been
tested for this purpose, and can be applied
through both spray and dip systems.

Preliminary tests conducted by MacMil-

Regional 1st vice-president Bob Blanchard addressing the Regional Health & Safety Conference October 30th, in
Vancouver. Group left, Jack Welder, Council chairman; Irene Cleave, recording secretary; Blanchard; Verna Ledger, safety
director; Ben Thompson, president of Local 1-71, the host local for the Conference.

lan Bloedel at Port Alberni were very
positive. The on-site environmental engi-
neer confirmed this. (Subsequent evaluation
of PQ-8 dipped lumber at Somass Division
proved unsatisfactory as far as stain con-
trol; however, it was acknowledged by
management that they had not used the
PQ-8 as directed to the proper saturation
level.)

The chemical was applied through exist-
ing spray systems. All workers surveyed in
the operation reported both favourable
results and a sharp reduction in health
complaints.

Why, then, isn’t the chemical immediatley
substituted for chlorophenols? Three argu-
ments have been raised by Industry in
opposition to it:

(a) It is too expensive.

(b) It does not adequately prevent sap-
stain.

(c) It may also be very toxic or
carcinogenic.

The evidence at this time does not
support any of these claims. First of all,
while the purchase costs of PQ-8 are approx-
imately three times higher than for commer-
cial grades of the chlorophenols, it is diluted
up to 10 times more on site. The latest figures
supplied by the Industry indicate that final
cost differences may be an increase of 35¢
per thousand board feet of treated lumber. It
should be stressed that minor cost
increases pale in significance when
compared to the human (and subse-
quent economic) costs of continued use
of the chlorophenates due to adverse
health effects and costs of minimal
protective measures.

Secondly, this alternative chemical is
widely recognized as being effective as a
means of sapstain control. It has been, and
is being, used in the United States and
Europe, with good results. It has also been
used in several Vancouver Island sawmills,
indicating effectiveness under B.C. condi-
tions. With proper (automated) dipping
systems, and proper concentrations of the
dip solution, all indications are that it is
adequate and available for use immediately
throughout the B.C. Lumber Industry. So
much for the Industry’s argument about
cost and effectiveness.

Now, thirdly, and mostimportantly, what
about toxicity and carcinogenicity? Evi-
dence to date indicates that both the acute
and chronic toxicity of the chemicals is
much lower than that for the chlorophenols
and their contaminants. the acute toxicity
of PQ-8 is from one-tenth to one-fiftieth
that of chlorophenates. In addition, it is
much less irritating to the mucous mem-
branes and respiratory tract. This was
confirmed by workers working with the
chemical in Port Alberni. There are no
reports of chronic systemic toxicity in
humans. With respect to carcinogenicity

(cancer), there has been one animal test
producing positive results and some evi-
dence of mutagenic potential (birth defects).
In comparison to chlorophenates, however,
the dosages of PQ-8 required were 20 times
higher. In addition, PQ-8 does not con-
tain any toxic contaminants.

Finally, toxic effects of the nature pro-
duced by exposure to chlorophenates would
not be expected due to the chemical composi-
tion of this product. So much, then, for
toxicity and carcinogenicity concerns of the
Industry.

Can Exposures be Controlled and
Reduced to Safe Levels? There is evi-
dence that the use of environmental control
measures may reduce the hazard to workers,
but they cannot be relied upon as an
effective means of control.

Engineering and environmental controls
are difficult to enforce, and regular malfune-
tions can occur. In addition, these measures,
while reducing worker exposures, DO NOT
affect public exposures to the treated pro-
duct. Further, the use of protective equip-
ment makes the performance of work tasks
more difficult, and existing equipment has
been shown to be unreliable. Significant
amounts of hazardous chemicals may
break through both new and used pro-
tective clothing. Use of such equipment
will not eliminate carcinogenic risk, nor
would it be possible to ensure the regular use
and provision of such equipment.

In spite of these shortcomings, as long as
the product continues to be used, stringent @
environmental controls are necessary.

The Following Measures Ought to be
Implemented as Minimum:

(a) Full enclosure of all spray operations.

(b) Enclosure and automation of all
dipping systems.

(c) Elimination of all contaminated dust
in planer and sawmill operations.

(d) Use of full protective clothing, includ-
ing cartridge respirators in spray opera-
tions.

(e) Daily changing of contaminated clo-
thing, on site, with showers provided.

(f) Immediate end to all burning of con-
taminated waste materials.

There are potentially serious hazards
involved with the continued exposure of
workers and the public to the chlorophen- @
ates and their contaminants.

There is toxicological evidence that even
low-level exposures may lead to the develop-
ment of acute health complaints, and over
time, chronic illness and disease.

Due to these considerations, and concern
that continued exposures may lead to the
development of excess cancers, the use of
chlorophenates for anti-sapstain treatment

SEE “IWA DEMANDS” PAGE ELEVEN

10/Lumber Worker/December, 1981