Whether his group would oppose such a move would depend on the demands, he said. But he disagreed with some of the strong warning language proposed by advocacy groups for the voluntary labels. Whether the EPA will request stronger language that could lead to a deadlock with industry groups was unclear Thursday. And Lindsay called for labels on wood by July 1, while Ramminger said that's too soon. Of particular concern to some at the meeting, including Lindsay, was that the program only works if treated wood manufacturers agree to attach labels to each piece of lumber and the stores where it's sold agree to post signs.
New studies show high levels of arsenic routinely leach from the wood into soil.
And critics argue that children might ingest the substance after it gets on to the hands. Some adults who have worked with CCA-treated wood on construction projects complain it has made them sick after sawing and touching. The institute also would set up an 800 number and Web site with the same handling information on sheets to be distributed by retail stores. Ramminger said manufacturers and retailers are more likely to join now because of the recent publicity. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., has introduced a bill that would require labels that say the wood contains arsenic, and that arsenic exposure could cause cancer.