PRESS RELEASE
CROYDON CONSERVATION SOCIETY INC.
28th May 2006
Very high levels of arsenic found on the surface Chromium Copper Arsenic (CCA) treated timber. The Croydon Conservation Society asks for the removal of all CCA treated timber structures where children have frequent contact.
Testing by the Croydon Conservation Society on playground equipment at a Victorian kindergarten revealed remarkably high levels of arsenic on the surface of the timber, a very worrying 600mg/kg. The arsenic was found in a sample of algae growing on the surface of the timber and was easily dislodged. This is a massive 6 times over the health investigation level for arsenic in soil in schools and kindergartens in Australia. Algae can be found growing on timber in shady, damp areas. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) was sent the results in mid 2005 and we asked them to provide a toxicological assessment of the results. The APVMA was notified of an overseas study that had also found elevated levels of arsenic, chromium and copper in algae growing on CCA treated timber.
The APVMA recently responded, acknowledging the high levels of arsenic found on the timber, but stating that due to a number of testing constraints, the results cannot be interpreted.
In light of the serious implications of these high arsenic levels, we asked the APVMA to carry out their own testing, in order to either confirm or deny the existence of such high levels of arsenic toxicity in the algae growing on the surface of CCA timber, which they refused to do, stating that it is not their role. CCA treated timber has been banned or withdrawn from use in many countries, including the U.S. and the European Union, because of the danger to children. The U.S. EPA has reported that arsenic used in wood preserving formulations was typically contaminated with lead.
In March 2005 the APVMA completed a review of CCA and concluded that:
- Timber intended for use in garden furniture, picnic tables, exterior seating, children’s play equipment, patio and domestic decking and handrails must not be treated with CCA.
- Timber treated with CCA must be marked with the statement: ‘Treated with copper chrome arsenate’.
The ban on the use of CCA treated timber for a limited number of applications, particularly where children were concerned, was supposed to have come into force on March 12 th. That has now been extended to June 7 th due to the failure of industry to fully comply, even though they had 12 months prior notice, and the failure of the APVMA to ensure compliance by the set date.
The Croydon Conservation Society and Friends of the Earth have led the campaign to ban CCA treated timber in Australia since 2002 and asked then for the removal of all CCA timber that is accessible to children. Arsenic exposure induces cardiovascular diseases, developmental abnormalities, neurological and neurobehavioral disorders, diabetes, hearing loss, blood disorders, and various types of cancer. CCA treated timber is ubiquitous in the environment. It’s time to protect the children and remove all accessible CCA treated timber structures now.
Contact: Keith Loveridge Ph: 9723 1806 Mob: 0409 953 699
For more information on CCA treated timber:
Croydon Conservation Society Inc. http://home.vicnet.net.au/~croycons
APVMA http://www.apvma.gov.au/chemrev/arsenic_treatments_March06.shtml
Treated Timber, Ticking Time-Bomb http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/sbeder/CCAtimber/
