HEALTHY BUILDING NETWORK SUCCESS
Eliminating Arsenic-Treated Wood
In less than one year, the Healthy Building Network changed a $4 billion industry: arsenic-treated wood. The product Also known as "pressure treated," wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is the most common wood used in outdoor applications such as decks, picnic tables and playgrounds.
The problem: For more than two decades, researchers have known that arsenic-a known carcinogen-leaches out of the wood throughout its lifecycle. The arsenic releases onto the hands of users and into the soil, exposing children, the environment and other users to dangerous levels of this toxic chemical. Although safer and commercially viable alternatives exist, most consumers were unaware of the dangers or unable to find alternatives.
The solution: The Healthy Building Network brought together a diverse coalition of parents, environmental and consumer activists, scientists, manufacturers, and green building professionals to bring about an overdue change in the treated wood industry.
HBN Action: Together, Healthy Building Network partners launched a campaign - including sound scientific research on the dangers of CCA, media outreach to educate the public, and a consumer letter writing campaign to retailers across the nation.
The result:
Arsenic Testing Kit Available
Healthy Building Network is pleased to offer low-cost arsenic testing
to the public. These tests are suitable for analyzing soil, wood chips, and
lumber used for decks, picnic benches and playground equipment. Your samples
will be analyzed by an independent university laboratory that has been certified
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Price: $20.00
To order your home testing kit:
Order
on-line and pay by credit card
Call: (202)232-4108 Ex.240
Email your request:
info@healthybuilding.net
Write:
Arsenic Test Kit
C/o Healthy Building Network
2425 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009-2096