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Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA):
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
CCA Table of Contents
Background
In June 2001, CPSC published a petition by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the Healthy Building Network (HBN) to enact a ban of CCA-treated wood for use in playground equipment. The staff report that was developed in response to the petition was presented to the Commissioners for their review. The Commission held a public meeting (3/17-18/03) to discuss the staff report and other related information. EPA testified at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Public Meeting on March 17, 2003, regarding the petition to ban chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood in playground equipment. On November 4, 2003, CPSC announced that it denied the petition to ban CCA-treated playground equipment since industry had already voluntarily requested that EPA cancel the use of CCA to treat wood used in play equipment.
Throughout this process, CPSC and EPA worked collaboratively. EPA granted the cancellation and use termination requests from registrants affecting virtually all residential uses of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood, effective March 17, 2003. After December 30, 2003, CCA products cannot be used to treat lumber intended for most residential settings, including play structures, decks, picnic tables, landscaping timbers, residential fencing, patios and walkways/boardwalks. The intent of the phase out was to reduce the potential exposure risk to arsenic, a known human carcinogen, thereby protecting human health, especially children's health and the environment.
For More Information
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)