 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Natalie C.G. Freeman, PhD, MPH, Stuart Shalat, ScD, Kathleen Black, PhD, and Marta Jimenez. Exposure Measurement and Assessment Division, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, 170 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-1179, (609)924-4921, drippond@earthlink.net
Concerns have been raised about the potential arsenic exposure of children from playing on CCA pressure treated wood playsets. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has suggested that there may be an increase in long term risk of lung or bladder cancer to individuals who play on CCA treated playsets as children. Concerns about these health issues has lead to petitions to ban the use of pressure treated wood on playsets. Detailed information about children’s contacts with wood on playsets is lacking. Video taped observations were conducted of 4 children aged 5-7 years old playing on municipal playsets. The video tapes allowed for assessment of contacts to wood surfaces, substrates, other structures using a computer-based transcription program. Comparison of playset contacts with contacts with floors and soil at home were conducted. Dermal contact with wood surfaces were frequent but short in duration (typically less than 10 seconds) and did not differ from contacts with surfaces in and around homes. No handwashing was observed following contact with playsets. Food consumption was observed for one child at the playground. This behavior may contribute to arsenic ingestion. Additional data on more children and other age groups is desirable.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Children, Environmental Exposures
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.