Chromium on the Hands of Children After Playing in Playgrounds Built from Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA)–Treated Wood

Abstract

Children’s exposure to arsenic and chromium from playground equipment constructed with chromated copper arsenate (CCA)–treated wood is a potential concern because of children’s hand-to-mouth activity. However, there exists no direct measure of Cr levels on the hands of children after playing in such playgrounds. In this study we measured both soluble and total Cr on the hands of 139 children playing in playgrounds, eight of which were constructed with CCA-treated wood and eight of which were not. Children’s age and duration of play were recorded. The hands of each child were washed after play with 150 mL deionized water, which was collected in a bag and subsequently underwent analysis of Cr and 20 other elements, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Total average Cr on the hands of 63 children who played in CCA playgrounds was 1,112 ± 1,089 ng (median, 688; range 78–5,875). Total average Cr on the hands of 64 children who played in non-CCA playgrounds was 652 ± 586 ng (median, 492; range 61–3,377). The difference between the two groups is statistically significant (p < 0.01). Cr levels were highly correlated to both Cu (r = 0.672) and As (r = 0.736) levels in CCA playgrounds (p ≤ 0.01), but not non-CCA playgrounds (r = 0.252 and 0.486 for Cu and As, respectively). Principal-component analysis indicates that Cr, Cu, and As are more closely grouped together in CCA than in non-CCA playgrounds. These results suggest that the elevated levels of Cr and As on children’s hands are due to direct contact with CCA wood.

Chromium allergy and dermatitis: prevalence and main findings

“…Nevertheless, a recent study examined chromium on the hands of children after they had been playing on playgrounds built on CCA‐treated wood. They found a significantly higher amount of accumulated chromium among the group from CCA playgrounds . Various other regulations concerning the carcinogenic effect of chromium(VI) exist, but they are beyond the scope of this review.…”

Chromated Copper Arsenate (Cca) Treated Wood: Destination Options for Wastes Generated and Perspectives in the Development of Methodologies for Toxic Elements Removal

“…• a inalação, por ser altamente irritante, poderá resultar em pneumonia química. Devido à utilização de madeira tratada com CCA para a fabricação de várias estruturas residenciais, entre elas estruturas para recreação, existem vários estudos relatando a contaminação de crianças pelos componentes do preservativo (Hamula et al, 2006; Hemond e Solo-Gabriele, 2004; Kwon et al, 2004;Reed et al, 1999). Em um destes estudos (Hamula et al, 2006), foi medida a concentração de cromo nas mãos de crianças após as mesmas terem brincado em playground feito com madeira submetida a este tipo de tratamento.…”

“…Devido à utilização de madeira tratada com CCA para a fabricação de várias estruturas residenciais, entre elas estruturas para recreação, existem vários estudos relatando a contaminação de crianças pelos componentes do preservativo (Hamula et al, 2006; Hemond e Solo-Gabriele, 2004; Kwon et al, 2004;Reed et al, 1999). Em um destes estudos (Hamula et al, 2006), foi medida a concentração de cromo nas mãos de crianças após as mesmas terem brincado em playground feito com madeira submetida a este tipo de tratamento. Para a coleta das amostras as mãos das crianças foram lavadas por um período de um minuto com água deionizada, após o término do contato com o playground, sendo as águas de lavagem coletadas diretamente em sacos plásticos com vedação apropriada.…”

The Role of Chelation in the Treatment of Other Metal Poisonings

“…For this reason, it is popular as a supplement. Chromium is present in food and water and remains a concern with copper/chromate/arsenate pressure-treated wood, which still lingers in outdoor residential settings and playgrounds [91]. Chromium is used industrially as well as biomedically in cardiac stents.…”