Manufacturers Plan to Stop Arsenic-Treated Wood Sales Will Stop Most Common Source of Childhood Arsenic Exposure

2/12/2002

From: Paul Bogart of the Healthy Building Network, 206-985-8698 or 206-718-1394; or Jeanette McCulloch of Valerie Denney Communications, 312-408-2580

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- The following was released today by the Healthy Building Network:

-- Activists, Consumers Fear Exposure From 75 Billion Board Feet of Arsenic-Treated Wood Remaining in Nation's Playgrounds, Decks, Parks

-- People Suffering Health Problems After Using Arsenic Treated Wood, Manufacturers, Grassroots Leaders Available for Comment

A decision by the treated wood industry to discontinue the sale of arsenic treated wood at the retail level is a "victory for consumers and families, that will prevent most arsenic exposure to kids" the Healthy Building Network said today. However, the group called EPA's failure to address the billions of board feet still in use "a missed opportunity to solve the equally serious problem of arsenic leaching from existing playgrounds, decks, and landfills."

"Arsenic treated wood doesn't go away because industry decides to stop selling it," said Paul Bogart, campaign coordinator, Healthy Building Network. "Industry needs to figure out safe ways to dispose of it as well."

The voluntary phase out was announced today by Chemical Specialties, Inc. (CSI), a leading wood preservative manufacturer. In a press release posted on www.treatedwood.com, they announced plans to amend its registration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA). Other manufacturers are expected to follow suit.

"This dramatically alters the face of a $4 billion dollar industry," said Bogart. "This phaseout will eliminate the sale of about 85 percent of arsenic treated wood."

CCA (chromated copper arsenate) is the pesticide currently most commonly used to preserve wood used in outdoor applications, such as decks, picnic tables, and playgrounds.

Recent research found that the arsenic leaches out of the wood, coming into contact with soil and anyone who touched the wood. Arsenic is a known carcinogen.

Organizers caution, that removing CCA wood from the shelves does not eliminate exposure because CCA wood remains in use.

"The EPA shouldn't stop testing," said Rick Feutz, a homeowner who suffered paralysis after building a raft using CCA wood. "The EPA can't stick their heads in the sand just because the news doesn't look good for industry. This wood is going to be in people's backyards for decades and they deserve to know what risk it poses for their families."

Editors Note: To contact Rick Feutz or others suffering health problems after using CCA wood, or local non-profit groups working to eliminate arsenic-treated wood, please contact either Paul Bogart or Jeanette McCulloch (see contact info).