accelerates corrosion of galvanized steel fasteners (such as nails and screws) 10 times or more in comparison with CCA-treated wood. Stainless steel (AISI 316) is not affected. Aluminium and Galvalum fasteners should be avoided. One should use fasteners made of hot-dipped galvanized steel, copper, or stainless steel. History ACQ technology was developed and patented in Canada and improved in the U.S. It has been in commercial production in Europe, Japan and the U.S. since the late 1980s. Wood products treated with ACQ preservative were commercially produced in Canada for the first time in 2004. ACQ became a widely used wood preservative after concerns were raised about possible environmental contamination by chromium and arsenic from wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), through contact (especially in playgrounds), leaching, sawing and sanding, or burning. These concerns led to the virtual banning of CCA for residential purposes by the US EPA, in 2003-2004. Chemical Specialties, Inc (CSI, now Viance) received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award in 2002 for commercial introduction of ACQ. See also copper azole (CBA), another alternative to CCA. References External links ACQ FAQ from the Forest Products Laboratory of the US Forest Service Information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Alkaline Copper Quaternary - Safety Data Sheet Wood