The predominant preservatives used for pole treatment are creosote (used since the 19th century), oil-borne pentachlorophenol (PCP or “penta” - popular since the 1960s) and waterborne chromium copper arsenate (CCA – increased use since the 1980s). Restrictions based on preservative safety issues and possible leaching of compounds from poles into the environment has emerged for all three of these preservatives. Interest for using alternative pole materials is driven by these environmental issues as well as economic factors such as competition from imported steel and traditional wood products.
What You Need to Know About Wood Preservatives
Wood preservatives constitute the single largest pesticide use in the United States, accounting for nearly one billion pounds annually.
These heavy-duty wood preservatives, namely the inorganic arsenicals (such as chromated copper arsenate, or CCA), pentachlorophenol (penta) and creosote are all used to treat traditional wood utility poles.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified all of the chemicals used to treat wood poles, as well as their contaminants, as known or probable carcinogens.
98.5 percent of utility poles in service are chemically-treated wood poles while only 1.5 percent are made from alternative materials.
Disposal of treated wood poles is also a problem. Over 68 percent of utilities are in the habit of giving away discarded utility poles which continue to leach toxic chemicals into the environment and to the public.
