Arsenic can still seep out of wood, ending up on palms and fingers. This exposure
is a concern for young people. Even after the toddler stage, children can transfer ar-
senic from wood to the food they eat, or otherwise inadvertently ingest it. Finally,
children in general are more vulnerable to arsenic, which has been linked to various
cancers, organ diseases, and neurological problems.
Tests performed in 2001 by the EPA revealed that lumber sold in major stores
such as The Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement contained arsenic far in
excess of the guidelines set by the EPA. That so-called safe level is ten micrograms of
arsenic per liter of drinking water. On average, surface contamination of an area of
CCA-treated lumber the size of a child’s hand exceeded that level by 120 times.
Early 2002 marked a turning point, when the EPA and lumber industry represen-
tatives decided to phase out use of CCA-treated wood by 2004. While this was great
news for parents and other concerned citizens, it is not the end of the story. For one
thing, a phase-out does not do anything to remove the threat of wood still available
in store inventories. Keep in mind that 90 percent of outdoor wooden structures used
CCA-treated wood, which is a huge amount of wood that can still expose children to
arsenic ingestion.^66Pesticides and AsthmaAsthma is a chronic, potentially fatal inflammatory disease of the respiratory sys-
tem. Nearly one-third of people with asthma are children. Asthma is the number one
cause of hospitalization and chronic health conditions among children, and is the
leading cause of school absenteeism. Every year, asthma accounts for fourteen million
lost days of school. In 2001, more than five million children aged five to seventeen in
the United States were reported to have a current diagnosis of asthma.^67
Asthma can be triggered by pesticides. Several types of pesticides are known to
cause allergic reactions or airway constriction, including pyrethrins, pyrethroids,
organophosphates, and carbamates.^68 Studies indicate that exposure to organo-
phosphates disrupts the part of the nervous system that regulates the motor func-
tioning of the lungs. This had lead researchers to hypothesize that pesticides are
among the preventable causes of asthma in children. Unfortunately, pesticide use
in schools is widespread. Four of the five pesticides most commonly used in Cali-
fornia schools, cyfluthrin, diazonin, glyphosate, and pyrethrins, have been linked
to asthma and other respiratory problems. Cyfluthrin can cause irritation of the
nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract, leading manufacturer Bayer Corporation
to state, ‘‘Persons with a history of asthma, emphysema, or hyperactive airways dis-
ease may be more susceptible to exposure.’’^69 Diazonin causes acute symptoms,
including wheezing, coughing, and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs).^70
Glyphosate can cause the accumulation ofexcess fluid in the lungs. Studies show
that glyphosate can persist in soils for up to a year. Pyrethrins contain allergens
that cross-react with ragweed and other pollens. People with asthma can have
severe reactions to pyrethrins.^71144 | Pesticides