Arsenic on the Hands of Children after Playing in Playgrounds

Abstract

Increasing concerns over the use of wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) in playground structures arise from potential exposure to arsenic of children playing in these playgrounds. Limited data from previous studies analyzing arsenic levels in sand samples collected from CCA playgrounds are inconsistent and cannot be directly translated to the amount of children’s exposure to arsenic. The objective of this study was to determine the quantitative amounts of arsenic on the hands of children in contact with CCA-treated wood structures or sand in playgrounds. We compared arsenic levels on the hands of 66 children playing in eight CCA playgrounds with levels of arsenic found on the hands of 64 children playing in another eight playgrounds not constructed with CCA-treated wood. The children’s age and duration of playtime were recorded at each playground. After play, children’s hands were washed in a bag containing 150 mL of deionized water. Arsenic levels in the hand-washing water were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Our results show that the ages of the children sampled and the duration of play in the playgrounds were similar between the groups of CCA and non-CCA playgrounds. The mean amount of water-soluble arsenic on children’s hands from CCA playgrounds was 0.50 μg (range, 0.0078–3.5 μg). This was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the mean amount of water-soluble arsenic on children’s hands from non-CCA playgrounds, which was 0.095 μg (range, 0.011–0.41 μg). There was no significant difference in the amount of sand on the children’s hands and the concentration of arsenic in the sand between the CCA and non-CCA groups. The higher values of arsenic on the hands of children playing in the CCA playgrounds are probably due to direct contact with CCA-treated wood. Washing hands after play would reduce the levels of potential exposure because most of the arsenic on children’s hands was washed off with water. The maximum amount of arsenic on children’s hands from the entire group of study participants was < 4 μg, which is lower than the average daily intake of arsenic from water and food.

Arsenic Addition to Soils from Airborne Coal Dust Originating at a Major Coal Shipping Terminal

“…However, application of phosphorous-rich fertilizers to these soils, many of which are overlain by lawns, could potentially lead to the mobilization of the added As in Norfolk soils (e.g., Peryea and Kammereck 1997). Furthermore, a recent study demonstrated that children playing in playgrounds with chromated copper arsenate treated wooden playground structures or with sand that has come in contact with such structures, acquire more soluble As on their hands compared to children not exposed to such structures or the associated sand (Kwon et al 2004). Moreover, children that live near open-pit coal mines more frequently complain of respiratory distress to family physicians than children living more distal to such operations (Howel et al 2001;Moffatt and Pless-Mulloli 2003).…”

Replication of an ivg protocol to estimate bioaccessible arsenic in materials from a gold mining area in Brazil

“…The main exposure route of human beings to As is by accidental soil ingestion by children, who frequently have contact with soil in regions with high levels of the element (Cohen et al, 1998;Rodriguez et al, 1999;Hemond & Solo-Gabriele, 2004;Kwon et al, 2004). Exposure to As by dermal absorption and inhalation is considered negligible compared to ingestion (Kwon et al, 2004;De Miguel et al, 2007).…”

“…Exposure to As by dermal absorption and inhalation is considered negligible compared to ingestion (Kwon et al, 2004;De Miguel et al, 2007). Considering the importance of this human exposure pathway (soil ingestion), and the restrictions associated to using human beings as test subjects, two types of tests (bioavailability and bioaccessibility) are used nowadays for the purpose of estimating exposure doses, an important step in human health risk assessment.…”

Glyphosate Results Revisited: De Roos et al. Respond

“…The filter residue from the hand-wash water probably contained at least some wood particles with much higher arsenic concentrations and lower densities than the playground sand. Hemond and Solo-Gabriele (2004) reviewed studies in which (typically adult) human hands were used to deliberately wipe CCA-treated lumber and reported much higher arsenic residues on hands than found by Kwon et al (2004). One obvious potential explanation is that the arsenic concentration in material dislodged from CCA-treated wood (Nico et al 2004) can easily be 1,000-fold higher than the 2-3 ppm found by Kwon et al in playground sand.…”

“…Hence any reassuring conclusion based on this work is a reflection of the assumed rate at which hand residues are orally harvested and not of the reported measurements. Kwon et al (2004) further concluded that Most of the arsenic on children's hands is water soluble and is readily washed off with water. We recommend that children wash their hands after playing to reduce their potential exposure to arsenic.…”