22 March 2005

Treated timber – “a time bomb”

University of Wollongong researches have called for an immediate ban on a common chemical treatment for timber with copper chrome Arsenate (CCA) labelling it a ticking time bomb, which poses health risks to humans and animals.

The CCA is used to prevent damage to timber caused by insects, wood rot, wood fungus and decay and it is typically used on electricity poles, decking and fencing, playground, cubby houses, picnic tables and handrails.

Prof. Beder recommended a ban on residential uses of CCA – treated timber and its removal from public parks within 2 years.

The national chemical regulator will move to phase out CCA treated timbers in the next year, but Prof. Beder said the measures did not go far enough.

She said the use of CCA was banned in Denmark, Switzerland, Vietnam and Indonesia and restricted in United States, the European Union, Canada and Japan