Arsenic Poisoning

Pressure Treated Wood and Children

Arsenic poisoning and pressure treated wood is especially dangerous to children due to their inability to metabolize the metal as well as adults. Thirty four percent of CCA is made up of arsenic, a known human carcinogen. Although the EPA stated the arsenic treated wood that consumers already have is safe enough to remain, concern for the pressure treated wood that is found in a lot of playground equipment has been raised for years.

A few years ago, before the EPA’s recent announcement to phase out pressure treated wood for consumer use, concern had been growing over the arsenic contained in children’s playground wood. Environmentalists have been pushing the EPA to ban CCA treated wood for playground equipment for years. When wood on playgrounds is exposed to the environment over time, like sun, rain, termites, funguses, and other wearing elements, the wood can become broken down into nothing. The introduction of CCA for wood in the 1970s eliminated all these concerns and allowed the wood to have a life fivefold longer, saving repair time and money and saving a countless amount of trees.

CCA appeared to be a large advancement for wood containing products, but they contain a human carcinogen, arsenic. The use of the pressure treated wood appeared to benefit many consumer products, however many wondered why it was used in playground equipment that would put the children at risk for deadly health effects. In December 2001, leading environmental groups and public health groups petitioned the EPA to immediately stop the continued use of CCA. The groups said that the EPA had sufficient data showing the risks associated to the exposure of pressure treated wood and that safe alternatives were available making the risk unnecessary.

Included in the petition, the group cited the high cancer risks due to exposure to playground equipment with pressure treated wood. In addition, the soil in close proximity to the CCA treated wood became contaminated with arsenic as well. CCA has been linked to cancer, birth defects, kidney and liver damage, endocrine system disruption, and death.

There are certain precautions that should be followed to reduce the risk of arsenic exposure from children. Do not expose children to pressure treated wood or its dust during construction, and special precaution should be taken when handling pressure treated wood during construction. Since there are safe alternatives available to pressure treated wood, looking into options can eliminate the risk of serious health effects. If any of your consumer products are made from pressure treated wood, double coating the wood can contain the arsenic. A sealant must be reapplied at least every two years to seal the pressure treated wood.

Avoid putting any type of food or drink on a pressure treated wood product, especially if it has not been sealed. After a child has been on a pressure treated wood playground set they should immediately wash their hands to avoid consuming any arsenic. There are alternative to pressure treated wood that have been available and will continue to be available to consumers, especially following the EPA’s recent announcement to phase out CCA treated wood.

If you are suffering from side effects due to pressure treated wood exposure Contact James F. Humphreys & Associates, L.C. to learn more about your legal rights and options.