Did they change treated lumber AGAIN?

No. We're talking about arsenic. The initials weren't important.

Again: We are talking only about arsenic.

You're insisting you're correct. I might agree with you. But first, I need an answer to the question that frightens you, apparently.

Here's the question again:

In order to show that health problems were caused by arsenic exposure, WHAT WOULD NEED TO HAPPEN?

Gee - How about evidence that there's a problem?

Not hypothetical's. Not emotional responses that arsenic is dangerous thus all uses of it must be banned. Not anecdotal stores about a friends neighbors cousin saw a kid on the deck next door licking the railing.

Hard evidence that a significant number of kids are dying or even affected by long term illness when arsenic is used as a wood treatment on outdoor decking.

-- "Tell me what I should do, Annie." "Stay. Here. Forever." - Life On Mars

Bingo. Now, one of you geniuses can explain why it would be unlikely that kids in a country like this would reach the stage where they'd be sick enough to become a statistic.

big business has a long history of denying and covering up hazards they are well aware of. tobacco is a great example, second hand smoke:)

I have a friend with somewhat retarded kids, that had high lead levels when young, from their old lead based painted home.

Its sad the kids are nearly grown but will never be normal. Lead DEFINETELY CAUSES RETARDATION in low levels.

No ddoubt one day workers in moon suits will be removing treated wood and contaminated soil at great expense.

Arsenic can come from many sources. Including water.

A start would be to build a rat cage out of old style PT 2x4s and test the rats for arsenic periodically. Next would be to do the same thing but in some manner so that the rats could contact the PT but not eat it.

Wrong question. It should be...

In order to show that health problems were caused by arsenic due to exposure to or contact with *PT LUMBER*, WHAT WOULD NEED TO HAPPEN? .

I'm not insisting on anything other than pointing out that if there were widespread health problems induced by use of CCA, there should be a world of evidence. That evidence would be widespread reports of problems which had as their underlying commonality some identified connection to CCA usage. I have looked; can't find it. Can you?

I repeat--we had this same discussion only a few months ago. There wasn't any evidence forthcoming then, and so far there's none now.

That's reasonable.

Let's stick with human children, since there's always someone who'll say "Yeah but rats are affected differently than people".

I suspect that if researchers are testing for heightened levels in a population, like 82 kids who used the same playground, they take "normal levels" into account.

when in doubt about something that may endager children and cause life long troubles better safe than sorry

So that doesn't concern you but a bit of arsenic in PT wood does?

How do you feel about wall to wall carpet? Not only the outgassing of nasties but all the crud trapped therein...the fungi, spores, dead skin, mites. Doesn't your mind boggle at the thought of a rugrat snuffling along on a carpet and sucking in that stuff through his/her little nostrils? Probably chomping on it too?

Of course, lead and asbestos are long gone and smokers are now demons but what about all the noxious gasses spewed by the Detroit monsters? California (and other states) now turn oil paint lovers into potential criminals because of atmospheric pollution but they - and the populace in general - seem to have few worries about auto emissions. It would take an army of 3 pack a day smokers and a whole subdivision painted with oil paint to even *begin* spewing as much crud as a few cars. Yes, I know the government keeps tightning up on auto emissions but why don't they just make autos/trucks/etc illegal? After all, it would be "for the kids".

Kinda depends on whose ox is being gored, doesn't it?

Back to lead for a moment...lead paint is gone but unjacketed ammunition isn't so be sure your offspring don't chew on bullets.

WHAT???? You expect parents to be responsible? I thought that was the government's job. To take care of us...to wipe our asses from the cradle to the grave.

today vehicle exhaust is often cleaner than the air intake.

there was a newspaper story in pittsburgh of some sick kids from arsenic poisioning, traced to their habit of playing under a large deck, ground was super contanminated.....

There WAS data showing increased arsenic levels in certain populations of children.

There was NOT evidence showing that most kids were exhibiting advanced stages of arsenic poisoning YET - the kind that would cause the police and/or health department to begin questioning family members.

And, before some twit asks "Duh how about a controlled study?", it would be impossible to find enough parents willing to allow their kids to be used for such a study.

That's OK with me. Put kids in the cage.

Evidence is irrelevant to the true believer.