The problem with pressure-treated wood in playground sets and decks
For nearly 70 years, playground sets, wooden decks, sheds, and other outdoor structures were commonly made with pressure-treated wood infused with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) to make it insect- and rot-resistant. CCA contains known carcinogens and has been shown to migrate to the wood surface, where it can come into contact with skin or leach into the surrounding soil. In late 2003, the industry voluntarily stopped using CCA in residential products after an agreement was reached with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but many people still own CCA-treated wood structures. Additionally, existing supplies of the lumber may still be sold.
WHAT'S KNOWN ABOUT THE RISKS
CCA contains chromium, copper, and arsenic, each of which can be toxic. As with all toxins, the actual risk depends on the level of toxicity and amount of exposure. Children are often more susceptible to toxicity exposure than adults. To date, studies on risks from CCA-treated wood have mainly focused on the arsenic component, which has raised the most concern. Called inorganic arsenic, it is the most toxic form of arsenic and a known carcinogen. Possible symptoms resulting from short-term exposure to high levels include nausea and vomiting. Long-term exposure to lower levels has been shown to increase the risk of lung, bladder, and skin cancer. The EPA recommends that people who believe they may be suffering from adverse effects from CCA-treated wood immediately contact their medical provider or local poison control center. Then, for further information and to report incidents, the EPA advises contacting the National Pesticide Information Center.
HOW YOU CAN TELL IF WOOD STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN TREATED WITH CCA
Track down the source. Unless your outdoor wooden structures are made from redwood or cedar, or were purchased very recently (and came without a CCA warning label), they’ve most likely been treated with CCA. To find out for sure, you can also try calling the manufacturer or retailer.
Test for arsenic. Home test kits, if used properly, can detect the presence and amount of arsenic on wood products and also in surrounding soil, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Kits are available on the Internet (search “arsenic testing kit for wood and/or soil” for options).
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE CCA-TREATED WOOD
Take precautions. While replacing CCA-treated wood is a long-term solution, it is also costly. There are several intermediate steps you can take to minimize risk. To learn about the steps you can take, consult the safety guidelines offered by the EPA and the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
Consider applying a sealant. Studies by the EPA and the CPSC suggest that applying a sealant at least once a year can reduce the amount of CCA that leaches from treated wood. Preliminary results show that oil- or water-based stains that penetrate wood surfaces are preferable to regular paint. That’s because thicker paints and other film-formers can chip or flake, requiring scraping or sanding for removal, which may increase exposure to CCA. More information on these studies is available on the EPA Web site.
Note that if the structure is indoors, it’s important to apply sealant or paint in a well-ventilated area to minimize exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the main component in forming ground-level ozone. Exposure to ground-level ozone can damage lung tissue and potentially cause serious respiratory illness.
For Consumer Reports' latest performance Ratings on deck treatments, click here (available to subscribers; for subscription information, click here).
ALTERNATIVES TO CCA
If you’re looking to buy greener construction materials, furniture, or a play set for outdoor use, there are a number of alternatives currently available, including products made from recycled plastics, recycled composite materials (plastic resin and wood fiber), and aluminum. If you want to use wood, there are non-arsenic containing preservatives that have been registered by the EPA that are used to treat wood for consumer applications. Common alternatives include ACQ (ammonium copper quaternary) and CA-B (copper azole). Since these are not necessarily non-toxic, however, wood preserved with these compounds should still be coated regularly. Another option is to look for untreated, cedar, redwood, or Southern Cyprus, which have natural pest- and rot-resistant properties; the more costly higher grades are typically more durable. But for both wood and wood-fiber based materials applying a deck treatment can extend the life and maintain the look of the material, regardless of whether they were treated with a preservative.
Although CCA-treated wood is no longer being manufactured, stocks produced prior to 2004 may still be on the shelves. Products containing CCA should be labeled or come with safety information sheets per the EPA’s Consumer Awareness Program.
For Consumer Reports' latest report and performance Ratings on decking click here. (available to subscribers; for subscription information, click here).
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