❓ This WA parliamentary question concerns the use of CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) treated timber, particularly in playground equipment, and seeks information on related regulations and health risks. The answer indicates a precautionary approach is being taken despite a lack of conclusive evidence of harm.
AnsweredQoN 1725Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(b) playground uses?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
30 March 2004
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Response time
28 days
2) No. 3) Not applicable. 4) No. The Report released by the APVMA in December 2003 was only released in Draft format for public comments before the report is finalised. At this stage the APVMA has only made recommendations to restrict the use of CCA treated timber. The APVMA has recommended that CCA treated timber not be used in structures such as picnic tables, deckings, hand rails and children’s play equipment. This recommendation was based upon a precautionary approach and not based on evidence of health risk. There are no epidemiological studies linking adverse health effects and direct contact with CCA treated timber. The APVMA has recommended that no action be taken against existing CCA timber structures. 5) No. The European Union has not banned arsenic in wood preservatives but has announced a partial prohibition on the use of CCA treated timber. The European Commission has recommended that CCA treated timber not be used in residential or domestic constructions. The European Union has not made recommendations on CCA treated timber already in use. 6) Yes. 7) No. 8) Not applicable.
3) Not applicable. 4) No. The Report released by the APVMA in December 2003 was only released in Draft format for public comments before the report is finalised. At this stage the APVMA has only made recommendations to restrict the use of CCA treated timber. The APVMA has recommended that CCA treated timber not be used in structures such as picnic tables, deckings, hand rails and children’s play equipment. This recommendation was based upon a precautionary approach and not based on evidence of health risk. There are no epidemiological studies linking adverse health effects and direct contact with CCA treated timber. The APVMA has recommended that no action be taken against existing CCA timber structures. 5) No. The European Union has not banned arsenic in wood preservatives but has announced a partial prohibition on the use of CCA treated timber. The European Commission has recommended that CCA treated timber not be used in residential or domestic constructions. The European Union has not made recommendations on CCA treated timber already in use. 6) Yes. 7) No. 8) Not applicable.
4) No. The Report released by the APVMA in December 2003 was only released in Draft format for public comments before the report is finalised. At this stage the APVMA has only made recommendations to restrict the use of CCA treated timber. The APVMA has recommended that CCA treated timber not be used in structures such as picnic tables, deckings, hand rails and children’s play equipment. This recommendation was based upon a precautionary approach and not based on evidence of health risk. There are no epidemiological studies linking adverse health effects and direct contact with CCA treated timber. The APVMA has recommended that no action be taken against existing CCA timber structures. 5) No. The European Union has not banned arsenic in wood preservatives but has announced a partial prohibition on the use of CCA treated timber. The European Commission has recommended that CCA treated timber not be used in residential or domestic constructions. The European Union has not made recommendations on CCA treated timber already in use. 6) Yes. 7) No. 8) Not applicable.
5) No. The European Union has not banned arsenic in wood preservatives but has announced a partial prohibition on the use of CCA treated timber. The European Commission has recommended that CCA treated timber not be used in residential or domestic constructions. The European Union has not made recommendations on CCA treated timber already in use. 6) Yes. 7) No. 8) Not applicable.
6) Yes. 7) No. 8) Not applicable.
7) No. 8) Not applicable.
8) Not applicable.
3) Not applicable. 4) No. The Report released by the APVMA in December 2003 was only released in Draft format for public comments before the report is finalised. At this stage the APVMA has only made recommendations to restrict the use of CCA treated timber. The APVMA has recommended that CCA treated timber not be used in structures such as picnic tables, deckings, hand rails and children’s play equipment. This recommendation was based upon a precautionary approach and not based on evidence of health risk. There are no epidemiological studies linking adverse health effects and direct contact with CCA treated timber. The APVMA has recommended that no action be taken against existing CCA timber structures. 5) No. The European Union has not banned arsenic in wood preservatives but has announced a partial prohibition on the use of CCA treated timber. The European Commission has recommended that CCA treated timber not be used in residential or domestic constructions. The European Union has not made recommendations on CCA treated timber already in use. 6) Yes. 7) No. 8) Not applicable.
4) No. The Report released by the APVMA in December 2003 was only released in Draft format for public comments before the report is finalised. At this stage the APVMA has only made recommendations to restrict the use of CCA treated timber. The APVMA has recommended that CCA treated timber not be used in structures such as picnic tables, deckings, hand rails and children’s play equipment. This recommendation was based upon a precautionary approach and not based on evidence of health risk. There are no epidemiological studies linking adverse health effects and direct contact with CCA treated timber. The APVMA has recommended that no action be taken against existing CCA timber structures. 5) No. The European Union has not banned arsenic in wood preservatives but has announced a partial prohibition on the use of CCA treated timber. The European Commission has recommended that CCA treated timber not be used in residential or domestic constructions. The European Union has not made recommendations on CCA treated timber already in use. 6) Yes. 7) No. 8) Not applicable.
5) No. The European Union has not banned arsenic in wood preservatives but has announced a partial prohibition on the use of CCA treated timber. The European Commission has recommended that CCA treated timber not be used in residential or domestic constructions. The European Union has not made recommendations on CCA treated timber already in use. 6) Yes. 7) No. 8) Not applicable.
6) Yes. 7) No. 8) Not applicable.
7) No. 8) Not applicable.
8) Not applicable.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.