Pressure treated wood dangers
Pressure treated wood contains
the chemical CCA.
CCA has been linked to:
- cancer
- birth defects
- kidney and liver damage
- endocrine system disruption
- and death
Also in this Issue:
EPA Release from February 12, 2002 - Whitman announces transition from consumer use of treated wood containing arsenic
VIDEO LINK- CNN's Mark Potter looks at CCA -treated wood and its potential health dangers (May 23) (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)
Your Legal Rights - 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.
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Pressure Treated Wood News
New pressure treated wood corrosive
November 22, 2004
In the past, pressure treated wood used to be injected with arsenic to keep the wood from rotting. Used on playground sets and home projects, the arsenic from the pressure treated wood was being ingested, often by children. Arsenic is one of the most toxic substances, especially to children under age six.
With pressure from environmental and consumer safety groups, the treated wood industry discontinued use of the chromated copper arsenate, which contained the arsenic, and some substituted it with Alkaline Copper Quat (ACQ).
To the surprise of many, the new wood preservative was shown to be extremely corrosive, eating through steel hardware – such as nails, screws and connectors. It is unknown how widespread the problem is, and many worry unknowing homeowners will continue to use the copper pressure treated wood for home projects, endangering the safety of anyone that comes across the corroded wood.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends stainless steel with all ACQ-treated wood. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends consumers get high quality, hot-dipped galvanized fasteners for their projects. Consumer groups are especially concerned about what will happen to the corroded pressure treated wood projects in a couple years when they begin to fall apart.
The CPSC is considering if the corrosion must be studied further.
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. For more pressure treated wood alternative options, please consult a hardware store or lumberyard.
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