May 11, 2005 EPA and CPSC: Interim study on the
effectiveness of
sealants in reducing the amount of CCA that leaches from
the treated wood.
Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is a chemical wood
preservative containing chromium, copper and arsenic. CCA is
used in pressure treated wood to protect wood from rotting
due to insects and microbial agents. EPA has classified CCA
as a restricted use product, for use only by certified
pesticide applicators.
CCA has been used to pressure treat lumber since the 1940s.
Since the 1970s, the majority of the wood used in outdoor
residential settings has been CCA-treated wood. Pressure
treated wood containing CCA is no longer being produced for
use in most residential settings, including decks and
playsets.
The Agency has worked with pesticide manufacturers to
voluntarily phase out CCA use for wood products around the
home and in children's play areas. Effective December 31,
2003, no wood treater or manufacturer may treat wood with
CCA for residential uses, with certain exceptions. General
Information from EPA is available at
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/antimicrobials/reregistration/cca/.
Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Finds Pressure Treated
Wood Increases Risk of Cancer in Children
In response to a petition filed by the Healthy Building
Network, the Consumer Product Safety Commission released
a report on Feb. 7 linking arsenic-treated lumber to increased
cancer rates in children.
Read
the Healthy Building Networks Press Advisory
http://www.healthybuilding.net/docs/Pressure_Wood_Press_release.html
Read
the CPSC Statement
http://www.cpsc.gov/phth/ccastatement.html
Read the
CPSC Fact Sheet
http://www.cpsc.gov/phth/ccafact.html
The
Healthy Building Network Testifies to the Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC) on Pressure Treated Wood
On
March 17, 2003, Paul Bogart of the Healthy Building Network
testified before the Consumer Products Safety Commission
about the dangers of arsenic-treated lumber and the necessary
next steps to protect children.
Testimony
of Paul Bogart, Healthy Building Network
http://www.healthybuilding.net/docs/CPSCTestimony.htm
Government
Report Says Wood Playsets Pose a Cancer Risk
Scientists
at the Consumer Products Safety Commission said today that
children playing on millions of outdoor wood playground
sets nationwide face an increased risk of bladder and lung
cancer from arsenic exposure. The report recommends that
children wash their hands after playing on wooden playground
sets and also not eat in the vicinity of the wood.
Source:
New York Times Article, February 8, 2003
http://www.yourlawyer.com/resource/news/index.htm?story_id=4605
What
to do if you have CCA wood
Poisoned
Wood Playsets and Decks
The
EPA announced a phase out of arsenic-treated wood, removing
the wood from home improvement stores by January 2004. In
the meantime, children need to be protected from arsenic
exposure acquired from decks and playsets already constructed.
The following link provides several measures that can be
instituted at home and at schools to protect children.
http://www.cure-guide.com/Natural_health_newsletter/
Poisoned_Playsets/poisoned_playsets.html