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Federal Study Recommends Yearly Sealing of Treated Wood Decks, Playgrounds |
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May 12, 2005
The data show that oil- or water-based sealants or stains that can penetrate wood surfaces are preferable to products such as paint, because paints and other film-formers can chip or flake, requiring scraping or sanding for removal, which can increase exposure to arsenic. Consumers should consider the required preparation steps -- sanding, power washing, etc. -- before selecting a product to minimize potential exposure to arsenic, both for initial application and re-coating, the study said. The results are from a study of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The information is based on first-year results from two-year studies initiated by CPSC and EPA in 2003 to determine which stains, sealants and paints are most effective in reducing potential arsenic exposure from existing CCA-treated structures. EPA tested the performance of 12 coatings on older wood and CPSC tested eight coatings (seven were the same as the EPA group) on new (as of August 2003) CCA-treated wood. CCA was a pesticide treatment commonly used in the past to prevent deck and playground wood from rotting and insect damage. Effective Dec. 31, 2003, the use of CCA to treat virtually all wood intended for residential use was eliminated. Key points for parents and consumers:
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