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At EWG, our team of scientists, engineers, policy experts, lawyers and computer programmers pores over government data, legal documents, scientific studies and our own laboratory tests to expose threats to your health and the environment, and to find solutions. Our research brings to light unsettling facts that you have a right to know.

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Are You Tracking Arsenic Into Your House?


Your deck could expose you and your family to toxic arsenic.
Which is why we're looking for a few good folks — 20, to be exact — to help us study arsenic.


Do you have ...

[1] a pressure-treated wood deck connected to a carpeted room?

[2] a neighbor* that doesn't have a pressure treated deck?

If so, you can help by filling out this survey. Most pressure-treated decks contain arsenic that can leach out of the wood and be tracked into your house. If you're selected to participate in the study, we'll send instructions about how to vacuum your carpet and your neighbor's. Then we'll test your vacuum bags for arsenic free of charge and send you the results. After completing the survey, we'll give you some simple advice to reduce your family's exposure to arsenic from your deck.

Thanks for your help!


* Your neighbor should live within a block of your home and be someone that wouldn't mind giving you a dirty vacuum bag.



TELL US ABOUT YOUR DECK

Is your deck made with pressure-treated wood?
[[not cedar, redwood, recycled composites, or plastic wood]]
How old is the deck? [[approximately]] years old
Have you ever tested your deck for arsenic?
Is the deck treated with anything?
If so, when was it last treated? [[approximately]] years ago

TELL US ABOUT THE ATTACHED ROOM

Is the attached room carpeted?
How large is the attached room? feet X feet
Do people take their shoes off at the door?
How often does someone come into this room over the deck? [[approximately]] times per day
When someone walks into the room, what do they contact first?
Roughly, how large is your house? square feet

TELL US ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

How many children live in the house?
What ages are the children? 0-5 years old
6-10 years old
11+ years old
Do children play on the deck?
Do children play on the carpet in the attached room?