Citation

Hatlelid KM, Bittner PM, Midgett JD, Thomas TA, Saltzman LE. J. Child Health 2005; 2(3-4): 215-241.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/15417060490930056

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In June 2001, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or the Commission) docketed a petition from the Environmental Working Group and the Healthy Building Network that requested that the Commission enact an immediate ban of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood for use in playground equipment. The request was based on the concern about health risks due to the presence of arsenic in the CCA formulation.To address the petition, the authors reviewed available data; evaluated existing standards, regulations, and economic data; performed exposure studies; and conducted a quantitative exposure and risk assessment that evaluated the risks to children from the use of CCA-treated wood playground equipment. The assessment estimated a theoretical increased lifetime risk of 2 to 100 per million of developing lung or bladder cancer for children aged 2-6 years from regular contact with arsenic residues on the surface of CCA-treated wood playground equipment, with risks of 0.2 to 5,000 per million as approximations of reasonable "best" and "worst" cases of risk.The Commission voted to deny the petition to ban CCA-treated wood in playground equipment because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) effectively addressed the petitioners' request through cancellation of the CCA pesticide registration. As of December 31, 2003, it is illegal for manufacturers to use CCA to pressure-treat wood for most consumer uses. Work continues at CPSC and EPA to evaluate the potential of certain stains/sealants to reduce the amount of arsenic on the surface of CCA-treated wood.

Language: en

Keywords

arsenic; CCA-treated wood; regulatory toxicology; risk assessment