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Ninety percent of all the arsenic that has been produced in the United States is found in CCA treated wood. Arsenic is a known carcinogen which can cause serious physical problems when ingested, inhaled, or when in contact with the skin or eyes. Due to these serious health threats, the manufacturers of CCA treated wood and the EPA agreed to stop all sales of CCA treated wood by December 2003. Even though CCA treated wood is no longer available for sale, there are several residential and commercial structures which house CCA treated wood.
Chromated copper arsenate or CCA treated wood is lumber that has been chemically treated with three pesticidal compounds: arsenic, chromium, and copper. This chemical compound has been added to lumber products since the 1940s in order to extend the life of wood and protect it from mold, termites, fungus, and other sources of decay.
For years prior to December 2003, CCA treated wood was used in utility poles, building construction poles, marine construction, and highway sound barriers. CCA treated wood has also been traditionally used in many outdoor residential structures including decks, fences, gazebos, boat docks, and furniture. CCA treated wood has also been used to build children''s play structures.
One EPA study indicated that ninety percent of children who frequently played on structures made of CCA treated wood were at a significantly increased risk of developing cancer and other adverse health effects. Arsenic poisoning from CCA treated wood can cause symptoms of gastrointestinal irritation, “pins and needles” sensations of the skin, unusual or easy bruising, dizziness, convulsions, seizures, fatigue, irritation in the nose, mouth and throat, and abnormal heart beat. Arsenic from CCA treated wood has also been associated with developmental and reproductive problems and cancer of the skin, liver, bladder, kidneys, prostate, and lungs.
CCA treated wood becomes dangerous when it is incinerated, sawed, sanded, machined, composted and when similar activities compromise the integrity of the wood. For this reason, it is important to act with caution when working with or near CCA treated wood. Personal protective clothing and gear should be used by anyone handling CCA treated wood. Children should always wash their hands after playing on structures built with CCA treated wood. Food should never be placed directly on any furniture made with CCA treated wood.
There are several alternatives to CCA treated wood available which do not contain arsenic. Synthetic materials, composite materials, ACQ and CBA treated wood, and denser woods like cedar, cypress, and mahogany are all viable alternatives to CCA treated wood. If you or a loved one has suffered injury as a result of CCA treated wood, you should notify your physician. If you have been harmed by CCA treated wood as a result of another party''s negligence, you may wish to speak to a qualified legal professional who can advise you of your legal rights and options in a case to seek compensation for your losses.
Pressure treated wood using arsenic, an effective poison for hundreds of years, was used in deck construction for many years but is no longer sold for residential use. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned most uses of arsenic as a pesticide...
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