STATE OF THE ART REVIEWS

1. INTRODUCTION
COST ACTION E22: Environmental optimisation of wood protection
The research work outlined below is established basically in relation to the necessities
of the sector, which emerge influenced by the climatic and environmental conditions
proper to our country.
Factors of current incidence in Spain:
In a properly implanted industrial process, in a closed circuit, the potential toxicity
should be in relation to the treated wood and not always to the chemical protective
product used.
• Certificates of wood-protecting products need to pass effectiveness assays carried
out by authorised laboratories, following the application of the corresponding
European Standards (EN-113, 117, 84, etc.), and tests of toxicity by the Ministry
of Health.
• High quality brands of wood-protecting products, processes of penetration and
treated wood products must be obtained, so as to control the impact that they have
on the environmental sector.
• Increase in the industries of deep protection of wood.
• Due to the excessive environmental exigencies that are coming into use in
Europe, some wood-protecting companies consider that:
- There is a decrease in the use of wood in many industrial sectors, including
construction, in favour of other substitution materials.
- The wood-protecting treatment is being reduced in determined sectors, with the
subsequent decrease in the durability of the wood.
- Some multinational companies, with R+D+I capacity, suffering from public
controversy about wood-protecting products, have ceased to investigate and do
not wish to participate in an economically low-profit sector. Furthermore, they
run the risk of being accused of contaminating the environment. Consequently,
these companies are steering their activity towards the production of “light”
products. In most cases, this signifies lower stability in the wood and subsequently,
greater potential in environmental (leaching) and human risk.
- As a consequence of the situation mentioned, a certain number of small or
medium-sized companies have abandoned their activity, which directly affects
Society in general (loss of jobs).
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