Chemicals in Wood Preservatives Pose Health Risk, EPA Says

Two chemicals used to produce a pesticide and preservative used to treat lumber pose a number of potential health impacts, the EPA said.

The Environmental Protection Agency on Jan. 2 issued a draft human health risk assessment for chromated arsenicals, including chromium copper arsenate, or CCA, in a Federal Register notice.

The health assessment, which is open for public comment until March 2, will play into whether the EPA decides to register the pesticides for continued use. The agency’s proposed interim registration decision is scheduled for the second quarter of this year.

The assessment said a number ...