Forest Products Laboratory -- Forest Service -- USDA

Durability and Wood Protection Research

FPL-RWU-4723

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	Publications and FAQS
	o	Durability and Wood Protection Research Brochure
	o	Frequently Asked Questions
	o	Links to other sources of information
	o	FPL Publications
	o	Topical Publication List
	Something in the Air: The Truth about Moisture in Buildings ... Anton TenWolde directs building moisture and durability research at the USDA Forest Products Laboratory...a noted physicist & researcher... has studied moisture in buildings for 20 years. For more information, click here.
	Problem Areas
	Facilities
	Professional Activities
	Staff
	o	Carol Clausen Supervisory Microbiologist O: (608) 231-9253 F: (608) 231-9592 cclausen@fs.fed.us
	o	Gloria Barsness Secretary O: (608) 231-9226 F: (608) 231-9303 gbarsness@fs.fed.us
	o	Rachel Arango Biological Laboratory Technician O: (608) 231-9573 F: (608) 231-9592 rarango@fs.fed.us
	o	Apolonia Bocanegra-Severson Physical Science Technician O: (608) 231-9256 F: (608) 231-9592 abocanegra@fs.fed.us
	o	Frederick Green III Research Microbiologist O: (608) 231-9305 F: (608) 231-9592 fgreen@fs.fed.us
	o	Steven A. Halverson Physical Science Technician O: (608) 231-9252 F: (608) 231-9592 shalverson@fs.fed.us
	o	Stan T. Lebow Research Wood Scientist O: (608) 231-9411 F: (608) 231-9592 slebow@fs.fed.us
	o	Bessie E. Woodward Microbiologist O: (608) 231-9417 F: (608) 231-9592 bwoodward@fs.fed.us
	o	Vina W. Yang Microbiologist O: (608) 231-9419 F: (608) 231-9508 vyang@fs.fed.us
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PROBLEMS TO RESEARCH

Problem -- Improved methods of evaluation and analysis of test samples and data are needed for timely and accurate prediction of long-term performance of durable forest products.

Methodologies for evaluating the durability of forest products include the soil bottle test, the larger-scale fungal cellar, and the field plots. We are assessing potential improvements to all these levels of evaluations. Potential improvements include the fungi used, type of soil or other environmental conditions of the exposure, the techniques used to evaluate the amount of decay and the statistical analysis of the data. Methods for termite testing will also be evaluated for potential improvements. Participation in the standard bodies such as AWPA and ASTM are critical to this problem area.

Problem -- Environmental impact of treated forest products needs to be reduced. This problem area will have two main elements:

(a) New, more environmentally compatible treatments for wood protection.

We are investigating various methods for reducing the levels of preservative chemicals in the wood. One option is to use synergistic effects to combine chemicals at reduced levels. Another approach is low-level copper preservative systems. We will attempt to identify and evaluate heavy-metal free preservatives that target wood decay fungi. This underscores our need to better understand the mechanisms of inhibition and control of both wood decay fungi and subterranean termites. One treatment that we have been researching is N'N-naphthaloylhydroxylamine (NHA). Since naturally durable species provide a viable option for some applications, we will continue to evaluate the natural durability of different species to decay and termites.

(b) Assessment and reduction of preservative chemicals released into the environment.

In terms of environmental performance of treated wood, our emphasis is to investigate the leaching of the preservatives out of the treated wood. Research includes laboratory and field tests of different treatments. This effort also includes identification of good practices of treatment and options for reducing leaching in the field. We will explore alternative methods of impregnating the chemicals to improve environmental and durability performance of existing preservative treatments. One such approach is emulsion technology.

Problem -- Ability to treat a diverse range of species and underutilized small-diameter materials for treated wood applications needs to be improved.

We are evaluating both conventional and alternative preservatives in a wide range of hardwood and softwood species. Selection criteria for species investigated includes their availability, their potential contribution to the hazardous fuel levels in the forests, and the potential markets for the treated wood. Evaluation includes both the treatability of the wood species by a given preservative and the durability of that treated material. For difficult-to-treat species, options for improving treatability will be investigated. Non-pressure methods provide low-cost treatment options and the ability to treat wood in the field. Such treatments have the potential to contribute to efforts to reduce hazardous fuel levels in our National Forests by adding value to small-diameter materials. Remedial treatments will also be investigated.

FACILITIES

Treating Plant
Microbiology laboratory and incubators
Fungal cellar
Experimental leaching apparatus
Field site in Madison, Wis.
Field site near Gulfport, Miss.
Southern Research Station

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Carol A. Clausen is active in the International Research Group on Wood Protection (IRG), International Society for Biodegradation and Biodeterioration (IBB), and American Society of Microbiology (ASM).

Dr. Stan Lebow is active within the standards setting process of the American Wood Preservers Association (AWPA), chairing Subcommittee T-8 (Composites) and serving on several other subcommittees and task forces. He is also active within the Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST) and Forest Products Society (FPS) where he chairs the Treated Wood Products Technical Interest Group.

Dr. Frederick Green is the vice-chair of the Biology Section of the IRG. He is an active member of IRG and IBB.

Bessie M. Woodward is a member of AWPA and is active in AWPA subcommittees P-3 (Organics) and P-4 (Inorganic). She is also a member of ASM, and the National Technical Association (NTA).

Vina W. Yang is a member of the Society of Industrial Microbiology.