It would seem that in your own backyard, your kids would be safe of toxins, health risks and hazardous materials. But just as you are learning that the inside of your home may be hazardous, so may be your Childs play set. One issue I just came across is the use of wood that has been treated with CCA, or chromate copper arsenate. This has recently created a overhaul of controversy for the possible risks for children who come in contact with it. And in addition to the lead toy factor, you may be at risk of improperly designed backyard play equipment that may contain lead paint.

Because of it’s cost effective solution to rotting woods like Cedar, CCA has quickly gained favor as the go to material for playgrounds, decks, garden beds, and picnic tables. And because this popularity CCA treated wood is now simultaneous with play structures in backyards all across our nation. And for the past thirty years this stuff has been present, and in 1995 it was estimated that the American Wood Preservatives Institute has sold 500 million cubic feet of CCA treated lumber in the U.S. As the building industry fell in love with CCA, environmental groups have raised concerns about the effects of arsenic, and the fact that when in liquid form, CCA is considered so toxic that the EPA has only allowed it to be bought by people licensed to apply pesticides.

In the U.S. CCA has not been regulated until recently, because of pressure from environmentalists and consumer health organizations. In 2003, three companies’ that produce CCA announced they would stop the production for residential use by the end of the year. Which is ironic, because CCA has been banned in numerous countries and restricted its use of treating wood. Of course, here in the U.S. it has somehow slipped through the cracks. Because of this, up until 2001, almost 99% of playground equipment made from wood in the U.S. was treated with CCA, and more than likely you will still find wood treated with this toxic nasty stuff on most wooden play sets today.⁵

Several studies have documented the health dangers posed by CCA. According to the Environmental Working Group, said that children who play on playground equipment made from CCA-treated lumber face an increased risk of bladder and lung cancer because of exposure to arsenic, and additionally “if walking on arsenic-treated wood is found to lead to tracking the substance indoors, it could present a potential risk to children who play on floors and frequently put their hands in their mouths“, according to a spokesman for the Environmental Working Group (EWG). In 2003, the EPA estimated that roughly 70 percent of homes nationwide still have arsenic-treated wood decks and porches. The EPA suggests that rather than replacing your decks and play sets, families can lower their arsenic exposure by sealing the wood at least every six months and washing hands thoroughly after contact with the wood. Another option would be to replace boards in high-use areas such as handrails and decking with alternatives that are arsenic free, such as composite lumber.

While human health has been the main focus, CCA also poses environmental risks. Arsenic can remain in wood and soil for many years, and in significant amounts, it can leach from treated wood, contaminating ground and surface waters. Studies have also shown acute exposure to arsenic to be fatal to wildlife, such as deer.

In addition to CCA, lead paint can also pose a health risk, especially on older play equipment with cracked, peeling or chipped paint. The truth is that lead is a known neurotoxin that can cause learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, as well as other health concerns. And even though the federal government had banned lead-based paint back in the 1970s, a recent study by the Consumer Federation of America and the Public Interest Research Group found over 45 percent of public playgrounds still contained equipment that contained lead paint. And it doesn’t stop at playground equipment. After reading the book, “It's no accident- how corporations sell dangerous baby products," by E. Marla Felcher, I learned that last year consumers spent $4.9 billion on infant products such as portable cribs, cradles, infant carriers and car seats. Today's parents, many of them older, dual income, and mobile, demand product features that fifteen years ago were unheard of: portable cribs that weigh only a few pounds and easily collapse for storage, car seats that double as infant carriers, tandem strollers for parents who jog. Products, it turns out, that are too often inadequately tested and ultimately unsafe. Marla Felcher's year long investigation revealed case after case of infants and toddlers being seriously injured and killed by these products and case after case of manufacturers going to great lengths to cover this up. This book exposes the inner-workings of the infant products industry, highlighting the tactics used by corporate giants such as Hasboro (Playskool), Evenflo, Kolcraft, Cosco, Graco and Century Products to keep consumers in the dark about their safety records.

What’s the solution? Well, just like in food and other products, you must seek out safe wood products for your Childs back yard play structure. And though natural wood or recycled materials may be more costly, they pose far fewer environmental risks. For natural wood products, ask whether or not the wood comes from a sustainably grown, certified source, like the Forest Stewardship Council offer certification for sustainably grown wood. If it is not in your budget to replace your current play structure, the Children's Environmental Health Network recommends applying water-based sealants or latex paints every six months to provide an effective barrier from contact with CCA treated wood. You could also consider replacing parts of the structure, for instance the handrails or smaller specific parts that are frequently touched. If you are worried about the possibility of their being arsenic in your soil, you can now order a kit to test for arsenic levels on or around your play ground as well as other parts of your yard, like around your deck or in your garden beds. The same goes for lead.⁵

Here is a list of some companies offering environmentally friendly alternatives to CCA treated wood play sets.