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MSU lab studies wood protection
By Andrea Cooper
College of Forest Resources
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Wood products contribute $4.3 million to the Mississippi economy, but weather, insects and other destructive elements destroy one-tenth of the forest products produced each year.
Wood preservatives are used to protect against losses, but there are environmental issues and toxicity problems associated with these products.
An endowment in Mississippi State University's Forest and Wildlife Research Center is assisting with the process of developing eco-friendly wood preservatives. Funded by a land gift from Harold C. and Claire Lucas, the endowment has been used to establish the Lucas Laboratory for Advanced Biodeterioration Research.
Biodeterioration, the natural processes of microorganism activity in wood, often re