CCA News & Information Articles

Inorganic arsenic toxicosis in a beef herd 04-01-2004 Over a 44-day period, 4 of 5 affected calves in a 170-head herd of beef cattle died after exhibiting clinical signs of lethargy, ataxia, anorexia, and diarrhea. Histopathological examination of tissues and toxicological analysis of a suspicious powder discovered in the pasture confirmed arsenic trioxide toxicosis. note I think those of us with arsenic poisoning will note similarities in our symptoms deborah Methylation of inorganic arsenic in different mammilan species and population groups pub med Thousands of people in different parts of the world are exposed to arsenic via drinking water or contaminated soil or food. The high general toxic of arsenic has been known for centuries, and research during the last decades has shown that arsenic is a potent human carcinogen. However, most experimental cancer studies have failed to demonstrate carcinogenicity in experimental animals, indicating marked variation in sensitivity towards arsenic toxicity between species. Arsenic metabolism in seaweed-eating sheep from Northern Scotland. 07-03-2003 - pub med Severe pododermatitis in broiler breeder hens housed on pressure-treated slats. 06-26-2003 Bovine arsenic toxicosis from ingestion of ashed copper-chrome-arsenate treated timber. 06-26-2003 Backyard Nightmare www.beyondpesticides.org a quote from PRESS RELEASE Beyond Pesticides/National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides Contact: Jay Feldman or Toni Nunes 202-543-5450, www.beyondpesticides.org Victims of Wood Preservatives Want Them Fully Banned - EPA Expected to Announce Phase-out Today on a puppy who died after chewing cca wood Wood Treatment Linked to Dangers http://www.weatherbos.com/Environment/ccaarticle.htm Excerpt from article on horses, bees and aquatic life being effected by CCA wood by Don Hopey, Post-Gazette Staff Writer reprinted from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Story of Cows Dying After Eating CCA Wood Ash CCA IN THE ENVIRONMENT, Barrie 2000 From the Article, "Arsenic and Old Wood" by Curtis Rist as Referenced in , CCA in the Environment by Deborah Barrie PET ZEBRAS DIE AFTER CHEWING CCA WOODEN FENCE POSTS Story From A Pet Owner Toxic Timber 09-28-2001 by Melanie Conklin of the Isthmus hear an expertand a victim express their concerns and more on the dangers of cca wood Reduce Chemical Use Asks The Humane Society of Canada Humane Society warns of the dangers of chemicals and cca wood Arsenic-induced congenital malformations in genetically susceptible folate binding protein-2 knockout mice 07-03-2003 - pub med In conclusion, the data suggest that impaired folate transport in the developing mouse embryo increases the risk for developmental defects following in utero exposure to sodium arsenate and that these differences are not due to differences in metabolism of arsenic. c)2001 Elsevier Science. Environmental biochemistry of arsenic. Microorganisms are involved in the redistribution and global cycling of arsenic. Arsenic can accumulate and can be subject to various biotransformations including reduction, oxidation, and methylation Subject Mechanisms of Action of Arsenic Trioxide1 07-29-2002 A link to an abstract on an article at Cancer Research. They are working with the idea that arsenic causes cellular changes and using that to attack cancer cells. The same mechanisms that cause arsenic to destroy our good cells or alter them is being used to try and kill off cancer cells. Processing Arsenic 07-05-2002 - http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2002/110-7/toc.html Genes Play A Role Arsenic 07-14-2002 By: Mei Ling Chen Arsenic Toxicity Interesting Biological Markers For Arsenic Poisoning Including ST Depressions on ECG Arsenic and Old Protein Labels 07-06-2002 - http://www.the-scientist.com/yr2002/may/profile2_020527.html For a team at the University of California, San Diego, nine years of tinkering with arsenic paid off in the development of a new technique that can tag proteins with different colors over time and even zero in to electron microscopic resolution. Investigations of the mechanisms of arsenic-induced carcinogenesis in a yeast model system 07-06-2002 - www.niehs.nih.gov/centers/pilot/cin-pp.htm The carcinogenicity of chronic arsenic poisoning has been firmly established, however the mechanism by which arsenic induces cancer is unclear. Arsenic and Thyroid Disease 07-06-2002 - www.ithyroid.com/arsenic.htm These results, however, clearly demonstrate that the generation of free radicals within minutes of arsenic exposure can lead to gene mutations and death of the cell, the authors conclude, and that antioxidants can block those effects. Inorganic arsenic speciation in soil and groundwater near in-service chromated copper arsenate-treated wood poles 04-25-2008 Hey Everybody, As this study may seem a bit technical for most lay people I would like to walk you through the results because I believe they affect a great many of us. CCA telephone poles are a cause of heavy metal pollution, arsenic most notably. When you take a test of soil near a cca structure you take soil from the top two ot three inches near a vertical post or underneath the structure. This allows you to test the runoff. With cca treated poles you would take the soil sample in the first two or three inches at the base of the pole. Because the pole is vertical all of the runoff and leaching will be at the base and depending on foot traffic etc it may build here as shown below. Now this study shows differences in the soil types ability to absorb that runoff. Iron is capable of pulling arsenic so surface levels where iron is found are much lower. This is also why mulch coated with iron oxide is also a problem as the iron dust will pull( the red colouring) the arsenic leaching from any treated wood that may be in the mulch. Unfortunately there is often treated wood in mulch. That is because as it ages it is undecernable with the naked eye from natural wood. Back to the poles. The base of these poles present with various levels of arsenic. If you have one on your property or at your child’s school or place of work then you need to be very careful. Children should be taught not to play near them, touch them or the soil around them. People should be very careful when cutting grass as the dust raised will be very toxic. Children and teenagers are often the ones cutting grass to earn money or as part of their chores. This is one exposure than is often missed. I see my neighbor cut around her cca pole and the dust she raises is amazing. I have tried to warn her but she believes it wouldn’t be there if it were a problem. So please take precaution if you must cut around these poles. Keep animals and children away. Also we all know what dogs use poles for and they will be tracking the arsenic into your home. When cutting near these poles wear a proper safety approved mask not a dust mask and shower afterward and please remove your clothes before going indoors and wash them separately. Close your windows also if you are cutting grass anywhere near one. Preferably it would be better to not grow grass there or leave it uncut. Take care everybody and please keep safe. deborah