Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Fluoride and Treated timbers
The Hastings Safe Water Association are shocked by the inconsistent claims of the NSW Health Department, concerning their response to CCA (Copper, Chrome and Arsenic) Treated Timbers. What will it take to make them accountable?
In December 2003 Sean Nicholls in the Age reported that “Australia's chemical regulator has proposed banning the use of arsenic-treated timber in outdoor play equipment, decking and furniture, saying frequent exposure to it may put people at "undue risk”. The regulator will also consider calling for existing structures made of treated pine and other arsenic-laced materials to be removed from thousands of backyards, schools and children's playgrounds across Australia. A United States study this year (2003) found frequent exposure to CCA-treated play equipment greatly increased a child's risk of developing bladder and lung cancer, prompting the Australian review.” http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/13/22/1071941669851.html
The EPA says that “when burnt, CCA-treated timber produces an ash with residual arsenic, chromium and copper. Arsenic is the most toxic of these three chemicals. Children and animals should be excluded from land where CCA ash is present. Young children, especially those under 5 years, are at high risk from personal contact and ingestion. Animal deaths from ingesting ash have previously been reported on farms in the USA and UK. As long-term arsenic ingestion (not giving immediate symptoms) may have health implications (e.g. over time, it is one cause of skin cancer), people need to exercise caution to minimise their cumulative exposure.”
What is the NSW Health Department’s advice on CCA Treated Timbers as of 19/3/05 and taken from their own website? They say, “There is no evidence of adverse human health effects associated with normal product use. There are no reports of adverse health effects in children using playground equipment constructed from CCA treated timber. There is no need for existing CCA timber structures in good condition to be removed on the basis of concerns about toxicity. If parents are concerned about children contacting CCA treated wood surfaces, maintaining a coating of oil-based polyurethane or paint will reduce any potential for exposure.”
Yet they have just said there are no adverse effects. Then they say, “It is also generally good hygienic practice: to wash children's hands after playing outside, particularly before eating; to not place food directly on outdoor surfaces. “ So just wash your hands and it’ll all go away kiddies, incredible. How likely are children to put food on a picnic table, or a swing seat? The Health Department’s logic beggars belief. www.health.nsw.gov.au/living/cca-treatedtimber.html
We are aware as is the NSW Health Department that all forms of fluoride added to water contain varying levels of arsenic. Yet the NSW Health Department says it is completely safe to put Fluorides containing arsenic, which the EPA says is cumulative, into our drinking water.
The NSW Health Department’s ignorance is inexcusable. Will they accept responsibility when our children pay the price of this and the many other mistakes they have made and are still making, in full knowledge of the consequences?
Yours sincerely,
Therese Mackay.
President of the Hastings Safe Water Association
# posted by Middle Child @ Tuesday, February 28, 2006 
