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PANEL OF SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS SUBMIT REPORT ON CCA-TREATED WOOD
Release date: 12/13/2001
Contact Information:
FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2001
PANEL OF SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS SUBMIT REPORT ON CCA-TREATED WOOD
David Deegan 202-564-7839 / deegan.dave@epa.gov
A panel of scientific experts has submitted its recommendations to EPA concerning the Agency= s process of determining risks to children from exposure to a wood preservative found in lumber used in many playground structures. Under EPA = s ongoing process of reviewing older pesticides to ensure they meet current science and safety standards, EPA is evaluating the wood preservative chromated copper arsenate, or CCA. As part of this effort, EPA is reviewing the potential risks to children from playing on play-structures built with CCA-treated wood. Last October, EPA convened a public meeting of an independent panel of scientific experts to solicit its review of the Agency = s preliminary scientific assessments and review methodologies. The panel = s recommendations will help the Agency determine what additional data, and/or revised risk assessment procedures, will contribute to a thorough and comprehensive review of CCA, and help ensure that EPA= s scientific assumptions are based on the most current data and understanding. As advised by the scientific experts, the Agency has begun to develop a probabilistic model for assessing exposure to CCA. This model is expected to make EPA= s exposure analyses more realistic and scientifically sound. EPA will now consider the panel= s recommendations to further strengthen the risk assessment methodologies and is continuing work on the comprehensive reassessment of CCA-treated wood. The Agency remains committed to making available for public comment the preliminary risk assessment in Spring 2002. The Panel's report is available at: http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/sap/whatsnew.htm .
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