Cancer Risk of Wooden Play Sets

Playground equipment made of pressure-treated wood is being phased out because of concerns it can leach arsenic, a known human carcinogen.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission released a study on 12 playgrounds in the Washington area, USA. The study found that children who play on equipment made of wood treated with chromated copper arsenate face an increased risk of developing lung or bladder cancer over their lifetime.

The Environmental Protection Agency is completing a major study on the issue. The EPA is phasing out use of the preservative in new wood products by the beginning of next year. The preservative has been the principle chemical used on decks, playgrounds, picnic tables and similar outdoor structures. However, the EPA said there is no need to remove or replace existing structures.

The study found that children’s risk can be reduced by washing hands with soap and water immediately after playing on the treated wood. It is also recommended that children avoid eating on playgrounds that contain the equipment.

The study was in response to a petition from the non-profit organization Environmental Working Group, which sought a ban on existing playground equipment.

(Source: The Washington Post Company)