Washington State Department of Ecology

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Consumer Treated Wood Information Sources

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH):

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):

CPSC Petition HP01-3 to Ban Arsenic Treated Wood in Playground Equipment and Review the Safety of Arsenic Treated Wood for General Use, from the Environmental Working Group and the Healthy Building Network, May 22, 2001.

Sampling for Residues of Arsenic, Chromium, and Copper in Substances (Soils/Buffering Materials) Beneath/Adjacent to Chromated Copper A preliminary draft report written by CPSC staff

The Healthy Building Network (HBN) and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) petitioned the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ban arsenic-treated wood in playground equipment and to review its safety for use in other consumer items. The petition was sent in conjunction with the groups' release of their July 2001 report, "Poisoned Playgrounds: Arsenic in Pressure Treated Wood."

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): On February 12, 2002, EPA announced a voluntary decision by industry to move consumer use of treated lumber products away from a variety of pressure-treated wood that contains arsenic by December 31, 2003, in favor of new alternative wood preservatives. This transition affects virtually all residential uses of wood treated with chromated copper arsenate, also known as CCA, including wood used in play-structures, decks, picnic tables, landscaping timbers, residential fencing, patios and walkways/boardwalks. By January 2004, EPA will not allow CCA products for any of these residential uses. This decision will facilitate the voluntary transition to new alternative wood preservatives that do not contain arsenic in both the manufacturing and retail sectors. Although the EPA has not concluded that there is unreasonable risk to the public from these products, the Agency believes that any reduction in exposure to arsenic is desirable. This action comes years ahead of completing the Agency's regulatory and scientific assessment of CCA and will result in substantial reductions in potential exposure to CCA.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health:

The American Wood Preservers Institute:

Michigan State University Extension