Smokey
12-23-2003, 08:18 AM
4:20 AM 12/23/03
Many members have used or are thinking of using pressure lumber to construct aquarium stands and or racks. Please read this article, first.
CHROMATED COPPER ARESNATE [ CCA ] .... arsenic-treated wood - commonly called " PRESSURE-TREATED-WOOD.
Experts say arsenic - a toxic metal - that is known to cause cancer, even in small doses; is No. 1 on the federal government's list of toxic substances.
It works like a thief in the night. It damages the nervous system and the lungs, kidneys, stomach, liver and other organs, causing vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and cramps; then passes through urine within days, leaving little evidence of the culprit.
In the 1980s, the EPA wanted to make sure every consumer who bought pressure-treated wood got a warning sheet that told them to wear gloves, goggles and a dust mask. But under industry pressure, the agency eventually agreed to a voluntary warning program both sides now agree was a widespread failure.
Avoid exposure to sawdust.
Toxicologists say normal arsenic levels in urine are below 50 parts per billion. Levels above 200 parts per billion can be cause for alarm.
Pressure treated lumber production has been all but banned. The phase-out, over a two year period - exempted many industrial uses for CCA and didn't address the 100 billion cubic feet of wood already in use
The industry announced that by the end of 2003 it would voluntarily stop selling CCA-treated wood for most consumer uses.
For decades, millions of consumers have bought and used pressure-treated wood without getting warnings about what was in it or how to avoid exposure to arsenic, a toxic metal that is known to cause cancer in small doses.
March 2001, The Gainesville Sun reported finding - through court records, medical journals and EPA files - more than 40 CCA-related cases around the country.
Many involved carpenters or construction workers. Many involved consumers working on do-it-yourself projects. Many involved exposure to sawdust. Some involved animals. A dozen of the cases were backed by a doctor's testimony or toxicological reports.
In one case, a Seattle man collapsed while building a wooden float for the lake in his back yard. In another, an Indiana man vomited several pints of blood after building picnic tables. In yet another, a New York man swelled up and stopped breathing while building a deck. CCA critics say there are more cases out there. But because of widespread ignorance among consumers, doctors and even carpenters about what's in the wood, only a handful are ever accurately diagnosed, they say. Fewer still are reported to government agencies where they can be tracked.
MPO - Using pressure treated lumber "can be dangerious to one health".
[orginal article was written by Ron Mantus, Sun staff writer.]
Many members have used or are thinking of using pressure lumber to construct aquarium stands and or racks. Please read this article, first.
CHROMATED COPPER ARESNATE [ CCA ] .... arsenic-treated wood - commonly called " PRESSURE-TREATED-WOOD.
Experts say arsenic - a toxic metal - that is known to cause cancer, even in small doses; is No. 1 on the federal government's list of toxic substances.
It works like a thief in the night. It damages the nervous system and the lungs, kidneys, stomach, liver and other organs, causing vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and cramps; then passes through urine within days, leaving little evidence of the culprit.
In the 1980s, the EPA wanted to make sure every consumer who bought pressure-treated wood got a warning sheet that told them to wear gloves, goggles and a dust mask. But under industry pressure, the agency eventually agreed to a voluntary warning program both sides now agree was a widespread failure.
Avoid exposure to sawdust.
Toxicologists say normal arsenic levels in urine are below 50 parts per billion. Levels above 200 parts per billion can be cause for alarm.
Pressure treated lumber production has been all but banned. The phase-out, over a two year period - exempted many industrial uses for CCA and didn't address the 100 billion cubic feet of wood already in use
The industry announced that by the end of 2003 it would voluntarily stop selling CCA-treated wood for most consumer uses.
For decades, millions of consumers have bought and used pressure-treated wood without getting warnings about what was in it or how to avoid exposure to arsenic, a toxic metal that is known to cause cancer in small doses.
March 2001, The Gainesville Sun reported finding - through court records, medical journals and EPA files - more than 40 CCA-related cases around the country.
Many involved carpenters or construction workers. Many involved consumers working on do-it-yourself projects. Many involved exposure to sawdust. Some involved animals. A dozen of the cases were backed by a doctor's testimony or toxicological reports.
In one case, a Seattle man collapsed while building a wooden float for the lake in his back yard. In another, an Indiana man vomited several pints of blood after building picnic tables. In yet another, a New York man swelled up and stopped breathing while building a deck. CCA critics say there are more cases out there. But because of widespread ignorance among consumers, doctors and even carpenters about what's in the wood, only a handful are ever accurately diagnosed, they say. Fewer still are reported to government agencies where they can be tracked.
MPO - Using pressure treated lumber "can be dangerious to one health".
[orginal article was written by Ron Mantus, Sun staff writer.]