Pyrolysis and combustion toxicity of wood treated with CCA

Summary The study was carried out in order to determine the effects of CCA on the pyrolysis and the combustion toxicity of wood. The results from CCA treated wood are summarized as follows: 1. CCA accelerated the beginning of pyrolysis of wood, increased the activation energies for the weight loss by pyrolysis, and increased the char yields in both air and helium. 2. Almost all the original amounts of cromium and copper were retained in the ash while some of the arsenic evolved into the gas phase, which increased with increasing temperature and air supply. 3. The combustion toxicity of wood samples was affected more by the sample density and CO concentration than CCA. It is concluded that for minimizing gaseous toxicants from arsenic, CCA treated wood must be burned at low temperatures with a reduced air supply.