Introduction

The Precautionary Principle requires that action be taken to minimise the health and environmental impacts of CCA-treated timber before those impacts are certain. Should it later be demonstrated to everyone’s satisfaction that CCA-treated timber is actually safe to use, then its use can be permitted. Until such time, it is appropriate to limit its use to situations where health and environmental impacts are likely to be minimal and to use safer alternatives whenever feasible. Since arsenic is not required for the control of termites, non-arsenic alternatives can be used effectively in most situations.