Reasons why the arsenic in the CCA pressure-treated
wood proposed to be used in the wooden housing for the Pickman Park mailboxes
is a concern:
The wooden housing proposed for the new Pickman Park mailboxes
is being built from CCA pressure-treated wood, which generally contains
arsenic. Even President Bush's EPA has decided to stop the sale of
CCA pressure-treated wood after Dec. 31, 2003 because of the documented
carcinogenic effects in humans of arsenic (although they are allowing the
pressure-treated wood already made to be sold, since they don't want to
deprive any business of its profits). (A good source of documentation for
these statements may be found at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/cca_transition.htm
).
Because information posted at other web sites may be removed
or moved and become inaccessible at a later time, please find below a summary
of the information posted at the EPA and other web sites.
The EPA writes on the previously cited web site and elsewhere
"Arsenic is a known human carcinogen and, thus, the Agency believes that
any reduction in the levels of potential exposure to arsenic is desirable.
EPA believes that the voluntary transition to non-arsenical containing
wood preservatives for residential sites is a responsible action by the
registrants. ... Published results of scientific studies suggest that arsenic,
over time, slowly leaches from CCA-treated wood products. ... Some studies
suggest that applying certain penetrating coatings (e.g., oil-based, semi-transparent
stains) on a regular basis (e.g., once per year or every other year depending
upon wear and weathering) may reduce the migration of wood preservative
chemicals from CCA-treated wood." The Pickman Park Board has not
yet budgeted any money for restaining the wooden housing for the mailboxes
every year or two. The EPA also suggests "Untreated wood (e.g., cedar and
redwood) and nonwood alternatives, such as plastics, metal, and composite
materials, are available." It seems to me following this suggestion is
the responsible thing to do, especially since the EPA says on its web site
at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2002/February/Day-22/p4306.htm
, "All distribution, sale, and use of existing stocks of affected manufacturing-use
and end-use products will be unlawful under FIFRA effective December 31,
2003," (where FIFRA is the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act" and the affected end-use products referred to are "CCA Type C 50%
Chromated Copper Arsenate" and other similar wood preservatives. Also,
the EPA says, "As of January 1, 2004, EPA will not allow CCA products to
be used to treat wood intended for most residential settings."
Other links of interest:
EPA Administrator
Whitman's press release about pressure treated wood which states,
"Now consumers will understand that this treated wood contains arsenic".
Note: To view or print out pdf files, you may need
the Adobe Acrobat reader, which you may download for free if you don't
have it yet by clicking here.
Boston Globe article
about Haverhill's reaction on learning about the use of pressure treated
wood (in pdf format)
Note: To view or print out pdf files, you may need
the Adobe Acrobat reader, which you may download for free if you don't
have it yet by clicking here.
North
Shore Sunday article about the liability risks of using pressure treated
wood (in pdf format)
EPA notice about
pressure-treated wood
Arsenic
pressure-treated wood according to the EPA
Please note: The EPA does not at this time recommend removing
or replacing CCA-treated structures, including decks. When such structures
are removed without proper care, an enhanced chance of exposure to the
arsenic in the pressure treated wood occurs (such as when the wood is sawed
in order to remove it and sawdust is released). The EPA says, "Some
studies suggest that applying certain penetrating coatings (e.g., oil-based,
semi-transparent stains) on a regular basis (e.g., once per year or every
other year depending upon wear and weathering) may reduce the migration
of wood preservative chemicals from CCA-treated wood." Hence, it
seems irresponsible to build new CCA-pressure treated structures (such
as mailbox housings) now, especially when cluster mailboxes without $20,000
of wooden housing (like
the one near 38 Atlantic Avenue & Rolleston Road in Marblehead)
are good enough for people in Marblehead. The question arises as
to why such a cluster mailbox isn't it good enough for us in Salem..
Back to Pickman Park Focus home page