Number

185-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

In order to protect wooden material against rot-fungi, biocides such as copper, chromium and arsenic, are commonly applied through vacuum-pressure impregnation. These biocides affect not only rot-fungus, but most living creatures being close to the treated material. OrganoWood is a wood-treatment product, completely free from biocides, that renders the wood inaccessible for rot fungi by binding to the surface of the wood fibres. OrganoWood also confers good flame retardant properties to the treated wood without use of halogenated and phosphorus containing compounds.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

Reliability of information

Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication

Reason substitution

PBT
CMR
other toxic effects
ecotoxicity

Hazard Assessment

Several of the flame retardants and biocides used on wood today have severe drawbacks. Creosote and creosote oil are for example classified as R45. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is another biocide which is classified as R26, H350, R24/25, R36/37/38 and R50/53. This system of R-phrases is outdated, the new GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) replaces the hazardous substance labelling. Note that a complete hazard assessment could not be performed, since the full chemical content of the product is not known to SUBSPORTplus Substances to be substituted: Creosote and creosote oil may cause cancer and are category 1A or 1B carcinogen (CLP Regulation) Chromated copper arsenate (cca) (37337-13-6) is a group1 carcinogen (IARC: inorganic arsenic compounds), as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Boric acid may damage fertility and may damage the unborn child. The substance is an endocrine disruptor category 1 (EU EDC database), a reproductive toxicant category 1B (CLP Regulation) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Pentachlorophenol is fatal if inhaled, is toxic if swallowed, is toxic in contact with skin, is very toxic to aquatic life, is very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects, causes serious eye irritation, is suspected of causing cancer, causes skin irritation and may cause respiratory irritation. The substance is a category 2 carcinogen (CLP Regulation), an endocrine disruptor (SIN List) and an endocrine disruptor category 1 (EU EDC database) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Copper citrate has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). Tri(aziridin-1-yl)phosphine oxide, tepa has no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). 2,2-Bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol may cause genetic defects and may cause cancer. Polybromobiphenyls (PBB's) and polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDE's) have no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). Alternative substances: Inorganic silicon polymer and organic acid have no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation) and are not included in the database of hazardous substances according to SUBSPORTplus screening criteria (SDSC).

Description of Substitution

OrganoWood is a water-based wood treatment product composed of inorganic silicon polymers and organic acid. It´s intended usage is for surface treatment or for vacuum-pressure impregnation of wooden products such as solid wood, particleboard, MDF-board, plywood, masonite board and more. Subsequent to the surface treatment or vacuum-pressure impregnation, the treated material shall be dried under elevated temperatures in order to improve durability of the treated material. The inorganic silicon polymers used in the product are attached to the fibres of the wood so effectively that the treated wood can be placed in outdoor conditions without losing its properties. OrganoWood protects the treated wood against rot-fungus and also gives flame retardant properties to the treated material. This is achieved by OrganoWood initiating a fossilization process to the surface of the wood, encapsulating the wood fibres making them inaccessible for rot fungus. Hence, the fungi do not die as in the case of using traditional wood preservatives containing biocides, instead a new physical barrier is created rendering it impossible for fungi to eat the fibres. As fossils (silicon) are non-combustible, effective flame retardant properties are also created with this treatment. The product has been tested on many materials and undergone several third party tests (i.e. rot protection test EN113 and flame retardant test Bfls1). OrganoWood is completely free from organic solvents and heavy metals such as copper, chromium and arsenic (CCA’s). Thus, wood treated with OrganoWood is not classified as hazardous material which is a big advantage from a recycling point of view. OrganoWood is transparent and will not discolour the treated material. The treated wood will therefore keep its natural colour.

Case/substitution evaluation

OrganoWood is a treatment of wood to protect it from rot fungus and give it flame retardant properties. Several of the flame retardants and biocides used today have unwanted negative effects on the environment. High toxicity, persistence and carcinogenic are some of the classifications associated with some of these compounds. Alternatives are thus needed and OrganoWood could be a suitable alternative. Note however that a complete hazard assessment of the product could not be performed by SUBSPORTplus.

State of implementation

In use

Date and place of implementation

Sweden, Finland, 2011

Availability of Alternative

On the market.

Producer/Provider

www.organoclick.com

Type of information supplier

Producer / distributor

Contact

www.organoclick.com

Further information

OrganoClick: Products http://www.organoclick.com/products/?q=organowood">http://www.organoclick.com/products/?q=organowood">http://www.organoclick.com/products/?q=organowood OrganoClick: Functional Wood http://www.organoclick.com/products/functionalwood/">http://www.organoclick.com/products/functionalwood/">http://www.organoclick.com/products/functionalwood/

Date, reviewed

November 26, 2021