March, 2003

Threat To Kids

I recently read an article in "Family Circle" magazine, which affirmed my own thinking, but which never the less, sent shivers up and down my backbone.

It has to do with the use of treated lumber in and around school playgrounds, parks, and backyards. Apparently, treated lumber is pressure treated with a powerful pesticide mix called chromated copper arsenate or CCA. This compound preserves the wood against the elements and insects.

But, this stuff leaches from the wood, thereby rubbing off on children's hands and clothing; even poisoning the ground, wood chips, and sand or gravel around the play area.

Not only kids, but adult woodworkers who handle, saw or nail structures together have been known to become seriously ill; one man, after working several days on a structure became numb from the neck down and today remains partially paralyzed…his concentration and focus distracted and distorted.

Other families have been seriously impaired from inhaling the smoke from burning treated wood. It is toxic and even the ash is hazardous and can cause neurological numbness and disorders.

I would hope that our Gallia, Meigs, and Mason School Boards would get together with the health departments and take a "hard look" at this potential problem.

In the meantime, parents and teachers should make sure that children who play on these structures thoroughly wash their hands afterwards.


- Bob Murphy