Submit your Pressure Treated Wood claim details for a free, no obligation case review.
Get Started:
more_legal_areas arsenicConsidered some of the most comprehensive work on pressure treated lumber and arsenic in playgrounds, a new study completed by the Environmental Defence Canada found that 60% of the 58 playgrounds tested across Canada had arsenic levels in the soil higher than federal guidelines. The playground structures tested were made from pressure treated lumber, with over half of the playgrounds containing levels of arsenic more than twice the guidelines. Some of the worst arsenic contaminated playgrounds had 12 times the level of arsenic in the soil than recommended levels.
The executive director of Environmental Defence Canada found during the study that "as we were getting the data in, we were getting more and more surprised. Yes, there is a tremendous amount of arsenic leaching into the sand. Why do we put poisons into our playgrounds?" (Edmonton News, 1/15/03). When the EPA announced the plans to phase out arsenic pressure treated lumber by January 1, 2004 for consumer use, the EPA noted that they were unaware of the dangers arsenic has on children because of the incomplete data. The EPA claimed there was no known risk, which environmental groups and families found to be a statement to avoid lawsuits. In December 2002, a lawsuit was filed against the EPA on behalf of a Gainesville family to ban arsenic pressuer treated lumber.
Arsenic is a well-known human carcinogen that can cause cancer and damages the brain, nervous system, and immune system. Pressure treated lumber contains the wood preservative CCA, which has been found to leak arsenic and affect the health of consumers everywhere. CCA contains three deadly chemicals, including chromium, copper, and arsenic.
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...