When was cca banned in canada

Before , CCA-treated wood was commonly used to build decks and play-sets in residential areas. In , the EPA and the lumber industry agreed to discontinue the use of CCA-treated wood in most residential construction.

This agreement was intended to protect the health of humans and the environment by reducing exposure to the arsenic in CCA-treated wood. How to reduce risk in your home workshop You should limit possible exposure to the chemicals in CCA-treated timber as a precaution. When using CCA-treated timber at home, you should: Select the correct timber for the job. The timbers are treated to different levels according to their intended end use.

Observe warning labels on CCA-treated timber. Cover any existing skin injuries such as cuts, wounds or abrasions before you work with CCA-treated timber. Wear a dust mask labelled either as P1 or P2 to avoid inhaling sawdust P2 masks are sometimes referred to as N95 masks.

Wear eye goggles, gloves and appropriate clothing to prevent splinters. Keep food and drinks away from sawdust or CCA-treated wood surfaces. Wash your hands and face after working with the wood, and before eating, drinking or any other activity that involves hand-to-mouth contact, such as smoking. Avoid sawing or sanding the wood in confined spaces. Work with CCA-treated wood outdoors whenever possible. Clean sawdust from personal protective equipment PPE before you use it again.

Reseal cut surfaces with a timber preservative. Playground equipment It has been proposed that children risk eating tiny amounts of arsenic from their hands after playing on CCA-treated timber play equipment or swallowing the soil surrounding the equipment.

However, there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that CCA-treated timber poses a health risk. CCA treated timber has been in use for 30 years and no cases of adverse health effects have been reported in children playing on or near CCA-treated timber play equipment. Make sure that children wash their hands after playing outside, and before eating and drinking.

There is no need to remove existing CCA treated timber play equipment from your backyard. It is unknown whether painting or sealing CCA-treated timber play equipment is helpful. If you are planning to build play equipment on your property, talk to the staff at your local hardware store for information and guidance about other treated timber products. In the event of a bushfire, the ash from burnt CCA-treated timber can contain up to 10 per cent by weight arsenic, chromium and copper.

Swallowing only a few grams of this ash can be harmful. Keep children and pets away from CCA-treated ash until it is removed, and see a doctor if you or anyone in your family shows signs of having eaten CCA-treated ash. Ash from CCA-treated timber can be double-bagged, sealed and taken directly to your local landfill. When removing CCA treated timber ash, wear protective gloves, disposable overalls, and a P1 or P2 face mask P2 masks are sometimes referred to as N95 masks to minimise exposure to dust.

Do not bury CCA treated timber ash. Belluck et al strongly criticize the US government failure to restrict public access in areas with high risks of arsenic contamination, which may include decking and playgrounds.

Indeed, they remind readers that hazardous waste sites have controlled access through fences or covers, unlike public and residential areas. Belluck, D. Gray, S.