Cancer Fears Put Pressure On City

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Subject:  Cancer Fears Put Pressure On City
Date:     Thu, 20 Jun 2002 08:16:01 -0400
From:      Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization:     Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)

To:     Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
          Director, State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation 

cc:    Christine Whitman whitman.christine@epa.gov

Thursday, June 20, 2002 - The Ottawa Sun - Cancer Fears Put Pressure On City - By ANDREA LANTHIER,

The fear of cancer is prompting the city to consider stop using pressure treated wood and to start coating wood that's already in playgrounds and parks.

Although there is no definitive proof pressure treated wood containing the chemical Copper Chromated Arsenate is a carcinogen, city staff recommend the city stop using it in public places. Staff also want to spend $100,000 to coat existing wood in public areas.

"It's a cautionary approach for the city," said Coun. Phil McNeely, vice-chairman of the environmental services committee, who will review the recommendation today.

Staff want the city to coat only recently installed wood, which is most likely to seep chemicals. Painting all pressure treated wood would cost more than $1 million a year.

Henry Walthert of the Canadian Institute of Treated Wood said although companies are confident the wood is safe, they will stop producing wood treated with CCA by 2004. He said the city's move will push companies to offer better products even sooner.

"There has to be a market to be able to sell it so this is a great incentive," he said.

http://www.canoe.ca/OttawaNews/os.os-06-20-0035.html

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