Comments on: Picture Perfect Thursday – Killer Backyards http://tripleventi.com/2007/03/15/picture-perfect-thursday-killer-backyards/ Extra Large, Extra Strong... without being bitter Sat, 01 Oct 2011 22:55:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Lynne Eldridge M.D. http://tripleventi.com/2007/03/15/picture-perfect-thursday-killer-backyards/comment-page-1/#comment-1736 Lynne Eldridge M.D. Sat, 17 Mar 2007 00:26:43 +0000 http://tripleventi.com/2007/03/15/picture-perfect-thursday-killer-backyards/#comment-1736 Jay, You are not alone in not knowing about CCA-treated wood. In researching a book I published on cancer prevention I had daily "does not compute" moments. Sadly, I used to feel much safer. There are things we can do, though, as long as we have an awareness. First the scary news. The Environmental Working Group has predicted that one in five hundred children will develop cancer in their lifestime due to the time they spend playing on CCA-treated wood. Arsenic, unlike some chemicals, does not dissipate over time, and structures that are 20 years old pose as much risk as those 5 years old. To reduce risk, children should wash their hands after playing on wooden play sets, and any surface on shich food is served should be covered with a tablecloth. Exposure can be decreased dramatically by sealing these structures with polyurethane (we recommend a water based) every six months. Also stay away from soil under CCA-treated wood structures, and do not garden near these. The EWG has an informative site with tips for parents concerned about their childrens exposure. This can be found at www.ewg.org/issues/arsenic/10tips.php. Test kits are available as well. Thanks for increasing awareness! Lynne Eldridge M.D. Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time" http://www.avoidcancernow.com Jay,
You are not alone in not knowing about CCA-treated wood. In researching a book I published on cancer prevention I had daily “does not compute” moments. Sadly, I used to feel much safer. There are things we can do, though, as long as we have an awareness. First the scary news. The Environmental Working Group has predicted that one in five hundred children will develop cancer in their lifestime due to the time they spend playing on CCA-treated wood. Arsenic, unlike some chemicals, does not dissipate over time, and structures that are 20 years old pose as much risk as those 5 years old.

To reduce risk, children should wash their hands after playing on wooden play sets, and any surface on shich food is served should be covered with a tablecloth. Exposure can be decreased dramatically by sealing these structures with polyurethane (we recommend a water based) every six months. Also stay away from soil under CCA-treated wood structures, and do not garden near these. The EWG has an informative site with tips for parents concerned about their childrens exposure. This can be found at http://www.ewg.org/issues/arsenic/10tips.php. Test kits are available as well. Thanks for increasing awareness!

Lynne Eldridge M.D.
Author, “Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time”
http://www.avoidcancernow.com

]]> By: Liz http://tripleventi.com/2007/03/15/picture-perfect-thursday-killer-backyards/comment-page-1/#comment-1718 Liz Fri, 16 Mar 2007 15:11:58 +0000 http://tripleventi.com/2007/03/15/picture-perfect-thursday-killer-backyards/#comment-1718 Great post, Jay - thanks for all of the info - now, if you'll excuse, I've got me some lumber to check...one it stops raining ice balls, of course. UGH! Great post, Jay – thanks for all of the info – now, if you’ll excuse, I’ve got me some lumber to check…one it stops raining ice balls, of course. UGH!

]]> By: Joe Prager http://tripleventi.com/2007/03/15/picture-perfect-thursday-killer-backyards/comment-page-1/#comment-1689 Joe Prager Fri, 16 Mar 2007 02:46:42 +0000 http://tripleventi.com/2007/03/15/picture-perfect-thursday-killer-backyards/#comment-1689 Like you, my wife and I, though intelligent consumers, knew nothing of the harm that could come from buying, handling and using CCA wood. But, we learned the hard way when it harmed us and our unborn daughter. You and your readers can learn more about the hazards of CCA treated wood on our website, www.bancca.org. It is a comprehensive compendium on the hazards of CCA treated wood and includes a list of published news articles and research papers on CCA treated wood and its health hazards. Thanks for writing this piece and informing your readers. Like you, my wife and I, though intelligent consumers, knew nothing of the harm that could come from buying, handling and using CCA wood. But, we learned the hard way when it harmed us and our unborn daughter.

You and your readers can learn more about the hazards of CCA treated wood on our website, http://www.bancca.org. It is a comprehensive compendium on the hazards of CCA treated wood and includes a list of published news articles and research papers on CCA treated wood and its health hazards.

Thanks for writing this piece and informing your readers.

]]> By: Dawn http://tripleventi.com/2007/03/15/picture-perfect-thursday-killer-backyards/comment-page-1/#comment-1688 Dawn Fri, 16 Mar 2007 02:13:41 +0000 http://tripleventi.com/2007/03/15/picture-perfect-thursday-killer-backyards/#comment-1688 This is actually a little scary. I can't even begin to count the # of wooden fences that I have seen with this green "toxic leaching", including my own privacy fence as well as the large playset at the old house. Makes me wonder if my daughter growing out of playing on that swingset had anything to do with the improvement in her asthma symptoms. Okay, I may be reaching a bit but it's a valid thought. I can't belive they allowed the continual sale of this wood just for the plain fact that is the wood of choice for building childrens playsets. Again, scary and good info to know. Now of course I'm thinking....what about the construction workers and the do it your-selfers who are breathing in the dust created by this wood when it is cut or sanded. Ayiyi.......I do believe I see a lawsuit in the future. I hope all is well, everything has been crazy busy and I haven't had much time for blog commenting. :o) Dawn This is actually a little scary. I can’t even begin to count the # of wooden fences that I have seen with this green
“toxic leaching”, including my own privacy fence as well as the large playset at the old house. Makes me wonder if
my daughter growing out of playing on that swingset had anything to do with the improvement in her asthma symptoms.
Okay, I may be reaching a bit but it’s a valid thought. I can’t belive they allowed the continual sale of this wood
just for the plain fact that is the wood of choice for building childrens playsets. Again, scary and good info to know.
Now of course I’m thinking….what about the construction workers and the do it your-selfers who are breathing in the
dust created by this wood when it is cut or sanded. Ayiyi…….I do believe I see a lawsuit in the future.

I hope all is well, everything has been crazy busy and I haven’t had much time for blog commenting. :o )
Dawn

]]> By: Kelly http://tripleventi.com/2007/03/15/picture-perfect-thursday-killer-backyards/comment-page-1/#comment-1667 Kelly Thu, 15 Mar 2007 15:07:14 +0000 http://tripleventi.com/2007/03/15/picture-perfect-thursday-killer-backyards/#comment-1667 Wow very informative! I had no idea that wood was so toxic. Wow very informative! I had no idea that wood was so toxic.

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