CCA more damning evidence
The Environmental Working Group in the U.S. has recently released evidence of a fraudulent article, written in 1997, which supported a decision made by the U.S. EPA to allow the continued use of chromium in CCA treated timber (see below).
Testing carried out by the Society in 2003 revealed high levels of dislodgeable chromium, copper and arsenic on the surface of CCA treated timber. Further recent testing revealed very high levels of arsenic in algae found growing on the surface of CCA treated timber. Overseas testing also found elevated levels of chromium, copper and arsenic in algae samples growing on CCA treated timber.
The APVMA’s decision to prohibit the use of CCA in timber used in applications such as children’s playgrounds, garden furniture, hand rails, and decking due to health concerns came into force on June 7th. The APVMA have allowed existing stocks of this timber to be used. The U.S. and European Union have restricted the use of CCA treated timber for most domestic situations. The U.S. has gone further than the APVMA and placed restrictions on the use of CCA treated timber in retaining walls, skirting boards, tomato and grape stakes, decks, railings and boardwalks in marine environments. There is also a ban on importing and exporting CCA timber used in domestic areas. Other prohibited uses include:
Roof decking, studs, decking exposed to weather, flooring, sawn posts and columns supporting decks; posts, square fence, light fencing slats, pickets; landscape ties (sawn on all 4 sides), steps for trailer homes, wood wedges to support trailer homes, horse trailer, cattle trailer, trailers constructed of dimensional lumber.
It appears that domestic fencing has also been included in the list. The APVMA needs to follow the lead of other developed countries and immediately instigate similar bans. Why go half way?
The Society has asked the APVMA to review its decision on CCA treated timber now that this fraudulent article has been revealed. The APVMA has a duty of care to all Australians. The Precautionary Principle must be invoked and a ban placed on all CCA treated timber being accessible to children until the results of the investigation have been assessed. We have asked that the APVMA pass this on to the State health authorities for immediate action.
Real-Life Epilogue To “Erin Brockovich”: Medical Journal Retracts Fraudulent Chromium/Cancer Study
EWG Investigation Exposes Fakery of Firm Headed by Bush Appointee
(WASHINGTON, June 2) — In a real-life epilogue to “Erin Brockovich,” a peer-reviewed medical journal will retract a fraudulent article written and placed by a science-for-hire consulting firm whose CEO sits on a key federal toxics panel. The retraction follows a six-month internal review by the journal, prompted by an Environmental Working Group (EWG) investigation.
The July issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM), the official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, will carry a retraction of a 1997 article published under the byline of two Chinese scientists, JianDong Zhang and ShuKun Li.
The article appeared to be a reversal of an earlier study by Zhang that found a significant association between chromium pollution of drinking water and higher rates of stomach cancer in villages in rural northeast China. Since its publication, the fraudulent article has influenced a number of state and federal regulatory decisions on chromium.
Zhang’s original work remains the only study of people ingesting chromium-6 in their drinking water. The JOEM article reversing its findings was cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in allowing continued use of chromium in a wood preservative, and by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in a report that discounted chromium-6 as an oral carcinogen.
http://www.ewg.org/reports/chromium/release20060602.php
