CCA-Treated Timber Safety - Timber Treat
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CCA-Treated Timber Safety
The main concern about CCA treated timber is the release of arsenic from the timber. Arsenic can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled (when the timber is burnt) or ingested (swallowed). Over time, small amounts of chemicals does leach from CCA-treated timber, but a study performed by the United States of America Environmental Protection Authority (US EPA) showed that the arsenic leached from CCA-treated timber was less than many common foods: 0.001 parts per million (ppm) for the timber compared to rice (0.40 ppm), potatoes (0.63 ppm), tomatoes (1.49 ppm) and prawns (19.90 ppm).
Internationally
In 2001, in the USA, the Environmental Working Group and the Healthy Building Network lobbied the Consumer Products Safety Commission to ban the use of CCA-treated wood in playground equipment. It was proposed that children risk eating tiny amounts of arsenic from their hands after playing on CCA treated timber play equipment or swallowing the soil surrounding the equipment. The US EPA began to study treated wood safety in playground applications that same year.
The US EPA concluded that there were no unacceptable risks to the public for existing CCA-treated wood being used around homes. The US EPA does not believe there is any reason to remove or replace CCA-treated structures, including decks or playground equipment, nor is it recommending that existing structures or surrounding soils be removed or replaced. Further, the US EPA has not recommended any need to take steps such as applying coatings to minimize exposure. As
a precaution, the USA and Canada jointly decided to restrict the use of CCA treated timber in residential settings - playgrounds, benches, decking, hand-rails - after January 2004.
The EU issued a directive to stop use of CCA-treated timber in residential constructions where people would be likely to have direct skin contact with the treated wood. This directive does not apply to CCA-treated wood already in use.
New Zealand regulatory authorities have determined that there is insufficient evidence at this stage to conclude that these products pose an unacceptable risk, but did support a move away from using CCA treated timber on children’s playground equipment.
Australia
In March 2005, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) reviewed the safety of CCA treated timber in the Australian context.
In 2006, the APVMA advised that CCA-treated timber is not permitted to be used in the construction of new garden furniture, picnic tables, exterior seating, children’ s play equipment, patios, domestic decking and handrails.
It should be emphasised that these recommendations have been made as a precaution. There is no evidence to suggest that treated timber is harmful when handled or used properly. The APVMA concluded that existing structures made from CCA-treated timbers don’t need to be removed and replaced until they reach the end of their functional life. The Australian Government’s Department of Health and Ageing states that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that CCA-treated timber poses a health risk.
The Bottom Lines
That children are poisoned by the transfer of arsenic from hand-to-mouth through playing on CCA-treated timber remains a theory not supported by fact
There is no scientific evidence linking CCA-treated timber to disease or cancer in children despite CCA-treated timber having been in use for more than 30 years.
Regulatory authorities, by their very nature, must take the most conservative approach to chemicals. A restriction on new residential structures - with no requirement to remove or modify existing structures - strongly suggests that the regulatory authorities most conservative approach allows that CCA-treated timber does not adversely affect the health of children or adults.
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