The chemistry of chromated copper arsenate - III. Recovery of arsenic content from treatment plant sludges

Chemical sludges from timber preservation with chromated copper arsenate ar e environmental hazards currently without any commercial value. A simple, i nexpensive and efficient process to separate out the arsenate component of the sludges has been identified. The resulting solution can readily be used as a raw material for manufacturing new preservative. While some organic m aterial does accompany the arsenate, this does not appear to have any detri mental effect on the product. The approach appears applicable to other chro mated copper arsenate-contaminated wastes including treated wood wastes.