Wood preservatives are used to protect wood from decay due to:

• A. Fungi and other organisms
• B. Insects only
• C. Sunlight only
• D. Water content only

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that wood decay is driven primarily by fungi and other microorganisms that break down the wood when moisture is present. Wood preservatives are formulated to inhibit those organisms, either by making the wood toxic to fungi or by reducing moisture availability so fungi can’t thrive. Insects can cause damage too, but they’re not the primary decay agents that these products target. Sunlight can degrade wood visually, and moisture is a factor that enables fungal growth, but decay itself is caused by the biological action of fungi and related organisms. Therefore, protecting against fungi and other organisms best captures what wood preservatives are for.