On the campus of Broward College in Florida, three classes worked together to put together a project to raise environmental awareness during an open house on Earth Day 2009. One of the classes was technical writing class and the other classes were environmental sciences. One of the student ’s fathers worked in forest conservation in Peru and the idea surfaced to research what type of chemicals have been used to treat wood and lumber. Although the topic of arsenic-treated wood, specifically CCA, is quite well known to some, it was surprising to this group the dangers that are associated with exposure to arsenic.
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Earth Day 2009 Presentation at Broward College
Eyebrows were raised at the open house as not only the student researchers, but attendees were quite surprised by the fact that some pressure treated wood can contain high levels of arsenic, which is a known carcinogen. Children are more susceptible to arsenic exposure from playing on playgrounds that contain arsenic wood. Additionally, the researchers provided statistics showing that the amount of arsenic that can be absorbed, in some cases, can be 1000 times greater than the maximum concentration level for drinking water standard that the EPA has in place.
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Test Kits Were Used to Determine if Wood Contains Arsenic
The student researchers also provided a brief demonstration that used a unique test kit specifically for determining if pressure treated lumber has been treated with arsenic. Two unknown samples of wood were used, both of which were in outdoor, indicating pressure treatment. Both samples were used in residential applications. The first sample was from a remodeling project at one of the instructor’s house, where excess wood was left behind two years ago. The second sample was purchased from the Home Depot in 2005. The fact that the wood was purchased in 2005 from the Home Depot is significant because in 2004, arsenic-treated lumber was removed from residential service because of the dangers to the public. The first sampled was tested using the test kit and the sample turned blue, which indicated that the wood had been treated with the chemical CCA, which has 22% arsenic. The second sample from the Home Depot did not turn blue and stayed clear, indicating that the wood was not treated with arsenic-based chemicals.
All in all, the open house that these students put on was a success in raising environmental awareness. Although this wood is no longer being sold into residential applications, proper handling and disposal is very important for the public. Events like the project at Broward College go a long way in spreading awareness.
For more information about testing your wood for arsenic, please visit www.arsenichometest.com
