News Coverage
The dangers of arsenic treated wood
Published August 4, 2003
Wood in decks, playgrounds and picnic tables has been treated with preservatives containing arsenic since the 1930's.
But a big change is coming, lumber treated with arsenic won't be sold anymore Because it may pose a cancer risk, especially to children.
Channel 3's Kim Wheeler put some local areas to the test.
A special wipe was used to test the wood after wiping the area. Then we put it back in the vial and sent it off to a lab at the University of North Carolina.
First we tested a picnic table at Huntington Reservation. Then, we went to a popular playground in Bay Village and tested a railing. Next, was a picnic table at Denison Park in Cleveland Heights. And finally, a family's backyard deck on the Eastside.
The only arsenic reading of concern was at the Bay Village playground called Play in Bay.
The results showed 6.6 micrograms of arsenic. The EPA says only 2 micrograms of arsenic are allowed in a glass of water.
Environmentalists like Sandy Buchanan of the Ohio Citizen Action say the concern is children coming in contact with arsenic and then putting their hands in their mouth.
"These are long term risks not see for 20 or so years so why not take every public health precaution," said Buchanan.
The Bay Village Service Director says they plan to seal the playground again. They did it last year too and they are replacing the wood with recycled plastic on handrails.
So what can you do to reduce the risk? Make sure children wash their hands after being around wood. Put a tablecloth on picnic tables, and seal the wood at least once a year.
When buying wood, look at the labels if they say CCA. That means treated with arsenic.
Concern about children coming in contact with wood treated with arsenic is becoming a priority to the federal government. The EPA says arsenic is a known carcinogen. So starting December 31st, the EPA won't allow the sale of wood treated with arsenic to consumers.
According to the environmental working group, at 6.6 micrograms the risk of developing cancer is one in 10,000.
That's based on a child age 1 to 6 being exposed to arsenic three hours a week.
Karen Pay-Miller says she will continue to take her daughter to the playground, but she'll make sure her daughter always washes her hands.
Test kits, which cost $15 are available at the links below.