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Arsenic Poisoning through Ages
Published in M. Manzurul Hassan, Arsenic in Groundwater, 2018
Arsenic compounds are present in weed killers, embalming fluids, paints, dyes, soaps, metals, wood preservations, automotive body solder, industrial battery grid, and electrophotography (Azcue and Nriagu, 1994). Gallium arsenide or aluminum gallium arsenide crystals are components of semiconductors, light emitting diodes, lasers, and a variety of transistors (Ratnaike, 2003). In addition, aromatic arsenic compounds are used in drugs, and phenylarsenic compounds are used in animal feed additives and disease prevention (BGS/DPHE, 1999). Moreover, the production of chromated copper arsenate (CCA), an inorganic arsenic compound and wood preservative, accounts for approximately 90% of the arsenic used annually by industry in the USA (USEPA, 2000). CCA is used to pressure treat timber, which is typically used for the construction of decks, fences, and other outdoor applications (Smedley and Kinniburgh, 2002).
Foundations, Framing, Sheathing, and Vapor Barriers
Published in Kathleen Hess-Kosa, Building Materials, 2017
Marketed and sold in the early 1940s, chromated copper arsenate (CCA) was the first wood preservative for pressure treating wood posts/timbers that were used, among other building products, in building foundations. The copper and arsenic are fungicides (e.g., prevent mold rot); the arsenic is an insecticide (e.g., prevents termite damage); and trivalent chromium provides UV protection. It was a great product! Yet, by the turn of the millennium, arsenic, a highly toxic component of CCA, was found to be leaching into the soil. CCA was durable with a life expectancy in harsh environmental conditions in excess of 46 years. Yet, as all good things come and go, and CCA's Achilles' heel was found.
Trace Metals
Published in Robert H. Kadlec, Treatment Marshes for Runoff and Polishing, 2019
A large portion of industrial arsenic in the United States is currently used as a wood preservative, but arsenic is also used in paints, dyes, metals, drugs, soaps and semi-conductors. Arsenic was a widely used pesticide prior to the introduction of dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) (Knox et al., 1999). Chromate-copper-arsenate (CCA) is a common wood preservative, used in bridges and in boardwalks through wetlands. Industry activities such as copper smelting, mining and coal burning also contribute to arsenic in our environment. Arsenic is usually associated with other metallic contaminants, such as lead and zinc, because it is a component of some mined minerals.
Studies on phytoremediation of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) using Acacia plant species (Fabaceae)
Published in International Journal of Phytoremediation, 2023
Bettaiah Mallamma Rathna Kumari, Narayanappa Nagaraja
Contamination of soils with heavy metals is one of the major environmental hazards worldwide (Ashraf et al.2019; Zerkout et al.2021). Chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), etc. are non-biodegradable heavy metals which remain persistent in the soil by inducing long-term threat to the environment (Suman et al.2018; Shah and Daverey 2020; Bortoloti and Baron 2022). Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is a wood preservative, used in protection of timber from microbial decay and insect damage (reviewed by Morais et al.2021). The CCA treated woods are widely used as construction material in housing, walkways, outdoor wood products, etc. These woods release elevated amounts of Cr, Cu, and As into the soil (Kumpiene et al.2008). Leaching of these heavy metals into agricultural fields initiates concern on the quality of crop productivity and food safety (Saleem et al.2020; Rathna Kumari and Raveesha 2021). Accordingly, remediation of CCA contaminated soils is required to mitigate their negative impact on the environment and food production (Tangahu et al.2011).
Co-planting of Salix interior and Trifolium pratense for phytoremediation of trace elements from wood preservative contaminated soil
Published in International Journal of Phytoremediation, 2021
Anne Lachapelle, Sara Yavari, Frédéric E. Pitre, François Courchesne, Jacques Brisson
Wood preservatives such as pentachlorophenol (PCP) or chromated copper arsenate (CCA) are used to limit the deterioration of wood products such as wood utility poles (Coudert et al. 2013). The discharge of PCP and CCA in the environment may result in mixed contaminated soil. PCP is a persistent toxic organic compound whose application has been banned or restricted in many countries since the 1980s. However, it is still of great concern due to its previous widespread use all around the world (Zheng et al. 2011). CCA is an inorganic compound that also raises health concerns since both chromium (Cr) and arsenic (As) are known carcinogens (Hasan et al. 2010). Although copper (Cu) is an essential element for living organisms, it induces oxidative stress in cells at high concentrations (Rehman et al. 2019). Cu concentrations between 3 and 20 mg kg−1 are in the optimum range and above 30 mg kg−1 are toxic for the majority of plants (Mleczek et al. 2013). The use of wood preservatives has led to widespread soil contamination through leaching or by accidental spills on wood products storage sites (Coles et al. 2014; Guemiza et al. 2017).